February 19, 200917 yr Capitalism. Milton Friedman explains to Phil Donahue in 1979 in less than two and a half minutes. Why can't so many people understand this yet?
February 20, 200917 yr Capitalism. Milton Friedman explains to Phil Donahue in 1979 in less than two and a half minutes. Why can't so many people understand this yet? What do you mean by great?
February 20, 200917 yr Author What do you mean by great?What do you mean what do I mean? You don't think this is a great country?
February 20, 200917 yr What do you mean what do I mean? You don't think this is a great country? I think Ace's point is that greatness can be defined by the "heart and compassion" of a country. Or it can be defined by its ability to defend itself or wage war on others. Or it can be defined by the work ethic that tackles any obstacle, job and problem that comes its way. Or it could be great based on its art, etc. I think Ace raises a good point about greatness being defined in one area, all areas, as community or as individualism. Got to be honest, my first reaction to the question of "who rewards virtue?" made me want to yell that God, God rewards virtue. In a purely humanistic sense, Friedman seems correct in his assertions. But in a Christian sense for me his extreme view leaves me cold.
February 20, 200917 yr ^Aren't we supposed to separate our religious views from our political views? It's a good question Mustang. However I didn't hear any political views expressed in the video. I heard economic theories and understandings. I might add (as I did earlier) he makes a lot of humanistic, rational sense. But I can't divorce my convictions that what he was speaking of was cold, calculated and Darwinism at it's finest.
February 20, 200917 yr It's a good question Mustang. However I didn't hear any political views expressed in the video. I heard economic theories and understandings. I might add (as I did earlier) he makes a lot of humanistic, rational sense. But I can't divorce my convictions that what he was speaking of was cold, calculated and Darwinism at it's finest. The world is giant game of Survival of the Fitest though. The species that can adapt, survive, the ones that can't die off. You can take those basic principals of Darwin and apply them quite appropriately to economics IMO.
February 20, 200917 yr I think Ace's point is that greatness can be defined by the "heart and compassion" of a country. Or it can be defined by its ability to defend itself or wage war on others. Or it can be defined by the work ethic that tackles any obstacle, job and problem that comes its way. Or it could be great based on its art, etc. I think Ace raises a good point about greatness being defined in one area, all areas, as community or as individualism. Got to be honest, my first reaction to the question of "who rewards virtue?" made me want to yell that God, God rewards virtue. In a purely humanistic sense, Friedman seems correct in his assertions. But in a Christian sense for me his extreme view leaves me cold. It's a good question Mustang. However I didn't hear any political views expressed in the video. I heard economic theories and understandings. I might add (as I did earlier) he makes a lot of humanistic, rational sense. But I can't divorce my convictions that what he was speaking of was cold, calculated and Darwinism at it's finest. I can understand what you are saying just from seeing that video, but further review of more Friedmen, you will find that his conviction that capitalism is best is not out of Darwinism but instead out of a belief that the system that allows for the MOST virtue is capitalism. Capitalism allows its economic agents to determine their own fate, and therefore determine how virtuous their own lives. This is in opposition to other systems which rely on coercion. Furthermore, have systems with centralized power turned out to be virtuous? No. Basically, since we have no reason to believe that the government will act in the best interest of others- as they say power corrupts- the most virtuous option is to keep as much power as possible out of the government's hands.
February 20, 200917 yr I can understand what you are saying just from seeing that video, but further review of more Friedmen, you will find that his conviction that capitalism is best is not out of Darwinism but instead out of a belief that the system that allows for the MOST virtue is capitalism. Capitalism allows its economic agents to determine their own fate, and therefore determine how virtuous their own lives. This is in opposition to other systems which rely on coercion. Furthermore, have systems with centralized power turned out to be virtuous? No. Basically, since we have no reason to believe that the government will act in the best interest of others- as they say power corrupts- the most virtuous option is to keep as much power as possible out of the government's hands. Good to hear. I was basing my comments solely on the link provided. Like I said, the clip was chilling to me - that doesn't mean it has to be to everbody. I'm just naturally a nervous guy. :lol:
February 20, 200917 yr Author I think Ace's point is that greatness can be defined by the "heart and compassion" of a country. Or it can be defined by its ability to defend itself or wage war on others. Or it can be defined by the work ethic that tackles any obstacle, job and problem that comes its way. Or it could be great based on its art, etc. I think Ace raises a good point about greatness being defined in one area, all areas, as community or as individualism. Got to be honest, my first reaction to the question of "who rewards virtue?" made me want to yell that God, God rewards virtue. In a purely humanistic sense, Friedman seems correct in his assertions. But in a Christian sense for me his extreme view leaves me cold. I can only assume Friedman is only addressing the question as asked by Donahue. I think this country is great in every example you listed as well as others. I really think this country is the most compassionate toward others as compared to other countries as well. I guess that's why I'm wondering where Ace is going with his question.
February 20, 200917 yr How does one seperate their religous beliefs from their political beleifs? I support politicians that have they same beliefs as I. Those beliefs come from a religious upbringing. My views on life, money work ethic, everything, comes from a religious interpretation somewhere. How can you possibly seperate the two?
February 20, 200917 yr I can only assume Friedman is only addressing the question as asked by Donahue. I think this country is great in every example you listed as well as others. I really think this country is the most compassionate toward others as compared to other countries as well. I guess that's why I'm wondering where Ace is going with his question. As far as a percentage of GDP we are not anywhere near as compassionate as other developed countries in our giving to others.
February 20, 200917 yr As far as a percentage of GDP we are not anywhere near as compassionate as other developed countries in our giving to others. Why does that matter?
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