Money as a Metric of Virtue?

[coberst]

Money as a Metric of Virtue?

 

“There is a tendency to use the term ‘virtue’ in an abstract “moralistic” sense—a way that makes it almost Pharisaic [self-righteous] in character.” My first thought, when reading this and ‘looking up’ the word ‘Pharisaic’, turns to William Bennett gambler, czar, and author of “The Book of Virtues”.

 

John Dewey wrote the above quote in his book “Ethics”. He further identifies the concept ‘virtue’ to mean a talent turned toward enhancing social values. Dewey says “every natural capacity, every talent or ability, whether of inquiring mind, of gentle affection, or of executive skill, becomes a virtue when it is turned to account in supporting or extending the fabric of social values.”

 

When I read recently that Warren Buffet had given thirty billion dollars to the Gates charitable foundation I thought immediately of Dewey’s conception of the word ‘virtue’. I remembered having discussed Dewey’s concept of virtue in a Great Books Discussion Group decades ago.

 

Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have manifested for us the Dewey concept of virtue. Two individuals who have used their respective talents to make scads of money have then turned that money into a virtue by placing that wealth toward “extending the fabric of social values”.

 

Money is not the metric of value here but is a medium for converting the unique and wonderful talents of these two men into a virtue. I never before thought of these two men as being exemplars of virtue but I certainly do now.

[HydrogenBond]

I believe Abraham Lincoln said something like" I never met of a man of virtue who did not have a few vices. " This may be a part of being balanced and more empathetic toward others. Bill Gates went from the drive for power and wealth, which is traditionally more of a vice than virtue. But from that foundation he is turning into a humanitarian.

[cockydude]

Well big fat donations might have a few motives, not at all virtuous. Like evading tax, i mean the government slices off a portion of your tax when you donate to encourage charity but still its a very self centered motive and is not virtuous. Image is another thing. i think its clear that there are some ulterior motives to charity which are not so virtuous.

[coberst]

Well big fat donations might have a few motives, not at all virtuous. Like evading tax, i mean the government slices off a portion of your tax when you donate to encourage charity but still its a very self centered motive and is not virtuous. Image is another thing. i think its clear that there are some ulterior motives to charity which are not so virtuous.

 

Motive is all when assertaining virtue. I do not know what the motives are but I am not aware of any that detracts from the obvious facts.

[TheBigDog]

Well big fat donations might have a few motives, not at all virtuous. Like evading tax, i mean the government slices off a portion of your tax when you donate to encourage charity but still its a very self centered motive and is not virtuous. Image is another thing. i think its clear that there are some ulterior motives to charity which are not so virtuous.

So any action that favors yourself is without virtue? Is there no virtue in competition? Is there no virtue in victory? I guess I lead a completely virtue free existance because I don't do anything that doesn't provide some value to me.

 

I am silly that way. But I would say I am vituous.

 

Bill

[coberst]

BigDog says—“So any action that favors yourself is without virtue? Is there no virtue in competition? Is there no virtue in victory? I guess I lead a completely virtue free existance because I don't do anything that doesn't provide some value to me.”

 

Dewey says that motive is all important as regards virtue. I suspect it is not an abstract idea that one can quantify. Essentially its importance of degree is something only the doer can evaluate.

 

Is their virtue in competition or victory? I guess that is like beauty; in the eye of the beholder. If you consider such things as being a talent, and I guess you certainly could, then it would be virtuous.

 

To me the big point in Dewey's statement lies in the fact that virtue is what is done for the group.