Posted on 02/04/2011 12:39:04 AM PST by ExxonPatrolUs
Adam Smith said that civilized and savage nations are separated by abundance and scantiness.
Savage nations of hunters and fishers
are so miserably poor that, from mere want, they are frequently reduced, or, at least, think themselves reduced, to the necessity sometimes of directly destroying, and sometimes of abandoning their infants, their old people, and those afflicted with lingering diseases, to perish with hunger, or to be devoured by wild beasts.
Civilized nations
on the contrary, though a great number of people do not labour at all, many of whom consume the produce of ten times, frequently of a hundred times more labour than the greater part of those who work; yet the produce of the whole labour of the society is so great that all are often abundantly supplied, and a workman, even of the lowest and poorest order, if he is frugal and industrious, may enjoy a greater share of the necessaries and conveniences of life than it is possible for any savage to acquire.
Which nation are we?
We’re on a one-way street to the savagery.
We are whatever the American people want.
I strongly suggest you read the U.S.Constitution.
What a bunch of bull crap. I could go on with my point and example but not worth my time.
Great post in #5.
You are trying to read way too much into his statement. Smith was talking about the material wealth enjoyed by capitalist nations compared to the grinding poverty of the "savages".
In his time that would have included the North American Indians, most Asians and Africans. Nowhere did he ever imply that wealth automatically brought moral enlightenment.
In fact, if you're that interested in Smith's moral theories, I heartily recommend his "Theory of Moral Sentiments". Here's a link to a free online version to get you started.
I think you'll be surprised.
I agree— and your comment reflects what I see in Scripture as well— how time and again in the Scriptures the example is a people hear God and obey,and are blessed by God and become fat and are so blessed they become convinced that it is they —and not God and they turn from God and are corrupted by their wealth. and fall into savagery only to discover a need for the cycle to begin again.Savagery to civility and back to savagery
We do appear to be fast approaching our baser self. but a nation that kills its babies has no future.
As long as we have apathetic liberals who demand the government take care of everyone (ie pass the buck) instead of personally doing something then the former. If we get to a true free society where opportunity abounds and people don’t look externally for solutions to their problems, the latter.
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