Will the Rich and Powerful always Pray on the weak and helpless?

[Archbob]

So, ever since the dawn of history, the rich and powerful and those who have the ability to amass richness and power have always prayed on the poor ad helpless. Is this inevitable? Does human nature doom us to this fate that the majority of people will take advantage of those that are lesser than themselves in their eyes? Society has always evolved in this way with a group of overlords that have everything while oppressing the underlings? Is there no way to escape this?

 

[Traitorfish]

The rich and powerful will always exploit the poor and weak. However, "rich" does not always go hand in hand with "powerful", and "poor" does not always go hand in hand with "weak".

 

[AlpsStranger]

I think powerful is a sufficient condition to begin abuse.

Power > Money, honestly.

 

[bhsup]

Well it is the Christian thing to do, to pray for others.

 

[Cutlass]

Well duh.

 

[Archbob]

So you agree that equality(either of results or opportunity) is virtually impossible in the real world and we need more realistic goals?

 

[Cutlass]

Equality of results is out. Equality of opportunity, or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof, is still a worthwhile goal.

 

[Crezth]

Well it is the Christian thing to do, to pray for others.

 

[Traitorfish]

So you agree that equality(either of results or opportunity) is virtually impossible in the real world and we need more realistic goals?

If we have a moral obligation to strive towards equality, that obligation exists regardless of the practical viability of that goal, so practicality alone cannot be the determinate factor here.

 

[Zelig]

So, ever since the dawn of history, the rich and powerful and those who have the ability to amass richness and power have always prayed on the poor ad helpless. Is this inevitable? Does human nature doom us to this fate that the majority of people will take advantage of those that are lesser than themselves in their eyes? Society has always evolved in this way with a group of overlords that have everything while oppressing the underlings? Is there no way to escape this?

Your threads are really boring.

 

[MilesGregarius]

Equality of results is out. Equality of opportunity, or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof, is still a worthwhile goal.

 

[Traitorfish]

I'm honestly not sure where this "equality of results" thing came from. Did anyone ever advocate for that, ever? Even goddam Marx called for "to each according to his need", as explicit rejection of equality of result as you're likely to find. It feels like an idea that only exists so that people can affirm their disagreement with it.

 

[Quackers]

FAL, do you have a lot more free-time on your hands now? Are we going to see some more of those Fat Cat type of thread?

 

[Cutlass]

I'm honestly not sure where this "equality of results" thing came from. Did anyone ever advocate for that, ever? Even goddam Marx called for "to each according to his need", as explicit rejection of equality of result as you're likely to find. It feels like an idea that only exists so that people can affirm their disagreement with it.

It's mainly a strawman argument created to discredit the welfare state.

 

[Archbob]

If we have a moral obligation to strive towards equality, that obligation exists regardless of the practical viability of that goal, so practicality alone cannot be the determinate factor here.

When did you acquire this moral obligation? Is it even moral?

 

[Traitorfish]

Perhaps we have no such obligation. But if we do, and many people seem to believe that this is the case, it stands regardless of practicality. Appeals to "realism" will not carry the same weight for these people as they do for you, so if you wish to convince these people, you'll need to develop a more rigorous critique of egalitarianism.

 

[Kaitzilla]

So, ever since the dawn of history, the rich and powerful and those who have the ability to amass richness and power have always prayed on the poor ad helpless. Is this inevitable? Does human nature doom us to this fate that the majority of people will take advantage of those that are lesser than themselves in their eyes? Society has always evolved in this way with a group of overlords that have everything while oppressing the underlings? Is there no way to escape this?

Of course it is inevitable!

How does a rich guy makes $100-$200 an hour?

By hiring 10 guys and taking 50% of what they earn by lining up the business for them.



Billionaires weren't even mathematically possible until the population grew large enough and certain advantageous energy resources became available.



Can this condition be escaped? Sure it can. If everyone in the future gets 10 robot slaves, the human race can all simulate being the rich-guy overlord simultaneously.

 

[Borachio]

"To him that hath shall be given. From he that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath."

Is this a justification for capitalism? Discuss.

(Prey is a homophone for pray.)

But, wait. If he hath not, how can he hath anything taken away?

 

[GoodSarmatian]

Praying is so much easier and cheaper than actually trying to do something good and useful, so yeah...

 

[timtofly]

"To him that hath shall be given. From he that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath."

Is this a justification for capitalism? Discuss.

(Prey is a homophone for pray.)

But, wait. If he hath not, how can he hath anything taken away?

Because he was lazy and never did anything with what he was given.

Capitalism + welfare?