PP247 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5-4: Profit Motive, Making Money
Document Summary
Unit 5: reading 4 abstract greed and the myth of profit motive by robert solomon. Abstract greed greed without desire; greed without lust; greed learned but not comprehended. It is the brainwashed sense that this is what one ought to want. In abstract greed, it is money, pure wealth, that is wanted, not to obtain anything or even to prove anything but wealth as a goal given and unquestioned, like honour, faith, or patriotism in some societies. It is the ultimate good, more important than personal dignity and happiness. The (cid:862)(cid:272)halle(cid:374)ge(cid:863) of (cid:271)usi(cid:374)ess is al(cid:373)ost al(cid:449)a(cid:455)s a (cid:272)halle(cid:374)ge of (cid:272)reati(cid:448)it(cid:455), of hard (cid:449)ork a(cid:374)d perseverance, of organization and cooperation, of good ideas and keen sensitivity to public needs and moods. Abstract greed plays only an artificial, distracting, and destructive role in our ambitions. Competition can be a moral force, prompting us to be honest with ourselves and not just more profitable.
