tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083572548028483665.post1759765195570202910..comments2023-03-25T19:24:00.019-04:00Comments on The Economist's Cookbook: Materialism and HumanityThe_Chefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544443854634465201noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6083572548028483665.post-65135363657790863322007-06-04T00:41:00.000-04:002007-06-04T00:41:00.000-04:00That was a well-structured argument, Jon, and I fe...That was a well-structured argument, Jon, and I feel somewhat honored that my commentary inspired it. Firstly, call me a nit-picker, but I feel compelled to correct this erroneous belief that reason is unique to humankind. Crows, chimpanzees, dolphins, and to lesser extents, other non-homo sapien members of the animal kingdom, do indeed possess problem-solving abilities. Though they may not have the overall intelligence to compete with us for resources, reason is in no way a foreign entity to nonhumans. Altruism is not unique to humans, either. I believe the only unique quality man possesses is self-awareness. With self-awareness comes responsibility. Ah, to be ignorant of one's place in the world and the potential impact one's actions have on every other living thing! It almost makes me envious. But I digress. <BR/><BR/>Let's say I was referring to definition number one of humanism and definition number two of materialism, emphasis on "worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life". One definiton is stating that human interests/values/dignity are of primary importance, while the other states that worldly goods are of primary importance, ergo you cannot reasonably be a humanist and materialist. If you want to go with a broader definition, then, yes, they're compatible. <BR/><BR/>What can I say? No, I'm not overly acquainted with the mechanics of capitalism, but I do know that wherever acquisition of material wealth is lauded and promoted as a benchmark for personal success, avarice rears its ugly head and brings out the worst in humanity. Status is another offender. <BR/><BR/>I think you mistake my position as anti-capitalism, however, and this is not the case. My case was for "fettered capitalism and globalization", hence my agreement with the pope's argument. <BR/><BR/>Incidentally, TheAntiLib is a she.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com