College of
Business
Administration
College of
Business
Administration
Questions related to B. Schwartz: The Battle for Human Nature (carried over from last week):
*On page 216 of his text, Schwartz argues:
One of the criticisms of economics developed in Chapter 6 was that what economists regard as eternal characteristics of human nature are actually rather recent historical developments, dependent on the existence of a market system that encouraged people to pursue their individual, economic interests. "Rational economic man" was an eighteenth-century invention, having little relation to how people actually behaved in societies prior to that time. Once invented, the economic man concept led to the formation of social practices and institutions that were consistent with it but that undermined previous forms of social organization. Thus, the economic man conception was a self-fulfilling one. First, one claims that deep down people are really such and such; then a world is created in which people can only survive if they act like they are such and such; sure enough, in that world, people become such and such deep down. Otherwise, they simply disappear.Is self-interestedness a human characteristic acquired by nurture, or is it rather a matter of innate nature? What reasons can you offer in defense of your position?*Schwartz claims that the notion of 'moral man' has given way to that of 'economic man.' As evidence of this phenomenon, consider the following excerpt from the October 26, 1992 issue of Business Week:
Gary S. Becker, who on Oct. 13 was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science... more than any other economist, has turned the spotlight of economic reasoning onto the decisions that individuals and families make in their personal lives. He starts with a basic economic approach that says people make rational choices to benefit themselves, and that those choices are strongly affected by the economic incentives they face. Then, he applies the model to families, marriage, education, and other topics of day-to-day existence..."No other economist has so broadened the range of economic analysis," says Milton Friedman...As one example of such reasoning, Becker believes illicit drugs should be gradually legalized: 'This might increase drug use. But legalizing drugs would reduce crime and free police for more serious activities.' Describe the moral-theoretic framework upon which Becker is building his arguments. Do you agree that public policy prescriptions ought to be made without reference to explicitly 'moral' considerations? Why or why not?
Questions related to Bellamy's Looking Backward:
1) In opening his novel, Bellamy invokes the metaphor of a coach as a means to offer commentary on issues of distributive justice. Just what is the point of this metaphor? What is Bellamy saying about the world in which he lived? Does this metaphor 'work' as a description of American society today? Why or why not?
2) Compare the principles outlined in Bellamy's work with the list of characteristics of classic utopias outlined last week. What are the similarities and differences?
3) What does Bellamy assume about human nature? See Barton's sermon for the answer...
4) How is property owned and transferred in this society? What values would need to be in place in order to support such an arrangement? Is it feasible?
5) In Bellamy's utopia individuals work only about an average of twenty hours per week. Is this realistic? What compromises, if any, would be necessary for a society to function smoothly under such a 'reduced' work week? What role will work play in your good society?
6) On what basis ought work to be distributed in an ideal society?
7) What is the role of recreation and leisure in the good society? How is work differentiated from such pursuits?
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