Capitalists and Other Psychopaths

NYTIMES Sunday Review ^ | May 12-13, 2012 | WILLIAM DERESIEWICZ

[fight_truth_decay]

THERE is an ongoing debate in this country about the rich: who they are, what their social role may be, whether they are good or bad. Well, consider the following. A recent study found that 10 percent of people who work on Wall Street are “clinical psychopaths,” exhibiting a lack of interest in and empathy for others and an “unparalleled capacity for lying, fabrication, and manipulation.” (The proportion at large is 1 percent.) Another study concluded that the rich are more likely to lie, cheat and break the law.

The only thing that puzzles me about these claims is that anyone would find them surprising. Wall Street is capitalism in its purest form, and capitalism is predicated on bad behavior. This should hardly be news. The English writer Bernard Mandeville asserted as much nearly three centuries ago in a satirical-poem-cum-philosophical-treatise called “The Fable of the Bees.”

“Private Vices, Publick Benefits” read the book’s subtitle. A Machiavelli of the economic realm

[redpoll]

>>>Capitalism is a pejorative word to describe
freedom and liberty created by Marxists.<<<

I agree with your sentiments but not the misplaced modifier. Freedom and liberty are not created by Marxists. I don’t mean to be the grammar cop, but the phrase should be, “Capitalism is a pejorative word created by Marxists to describe freedom and liberty.” Yeah, I’ll get flamed for this. *sigh*

[Uri’el-2012]

Thank you

I missed it.

[jonathonandjennifer]

“Capitalism is a pejorative word created by Marxists to describe freedom and liberty.” Yeah, I’ll get flamed for this.

Not by me; I was confused the first time I read the original post.

[fight_truth_decay]

thanks for the post

[redpoll]

You know, the decency and courtesy by most of us here make this a delightful place to visit. Be well and God bless you.