Do the results of the market have a moral quality?

[Slartibartfast]

In other words, success, failure, being rich, being poor, being middle class, enough resources for all, or enough for some. In general, are the results of the free market moral?

 

[Henrin]

Morality, social justice, and all other similar ideas have no part in the market and they shouldn't.

 

[OhIsee.Then]

How one implements and runs a free market is where morality comes in. The freemarket, in itself, has nothing to do directly with morality. However, I think it’s the best general market philosophy for supporting a moral society if regulated. Note, all types markets are regulated; sometimes to benefit a few or to benefit as many as possible. Sorry, I have no way to answer your poll given the options.

 

[Slartibartfast]

How one implements and runs a free market is where morality comes in. The freemarket, in itself, has nothing to do directly with morality. However, I think it’s the best general market philosophy for supporting a moral society if regulated. Note, all types markets are regulated; sometimes to benefit a few or to benefit as many as possible. Sorry, I have no way to answer your poll given the options.

I agree, that is a problem with my question. I was unable to come up with a way to make the question more specific, so this was the best I could come up with. But I think that is ok, because often if you leave things undefined, the answers become more interesting.

 

[Harry Guerrilla]

Markets have results.
It's up to individual interpretation, on whether or not, they are moral.

 

[The Giant Noodle]

Moral? HA! Nope.

 

[Lord Tammerlain]

The market is amoral

 

[Alyssa]

Markets have results.
It's up to individual interpretation, on whether or not, they are moral.

Unfortunately, this is true. Morality is subjective, and the market often works in favor of the greedy. Whether or not that is immoral is up to individual interpretation.

 

[Morality Games]

In other words, success, failure, being rich, being poor, being middle class, enough resources for all, or enough for some. In general, are the results of the free market moral?

Never absolutely, and the degree depends on socio-cultural conditions.

Morality, social justice, and all other similar ideas have no part in the market and they shouldn't.

I have a hard time believing morality and justice have no bearing on the management of society's resources.

 

[OhIsee.Then]

Market types and morality types interact with each other, but are independent features of a culture. Both develop recursively over time. But again there is no exact one to one relationship. This seems like nit picking, but if you don’t keep them separated in your thinking errors as to causality can be made.

 

[cpwill]

In other words, success, failure, being rich, being poor, being middle class, enough resources for all, or enough for some. In general, are the results of the free market moral?

ultimately we are compensated based on how well we serve others. I would say that trends towards moral net results.

 

[American]

In other words, success, failure, being rich, being poor, being middle class, enough resources for all, or enough for some. In general, are the results of the free market moral?

Do they have to be?

 

[Morality Games]

ultimately we are compensated based on how well we serve others. I would say that trends towards moral net results.

I think manipulation is a stronger influence in contemporary capitalism than service.

My father was just commenting on how quality standards in the service industry have plummeted since he was young, because public reliance on those services is compelling enough that providers have very little incentive to strain themselves or their wallets providing a positive experience, as opposed to a necessary one.

There was a time in the United States where providing a good product or service in-and-of-itself was as important in value to a producer/service provider as making a profit, because the two were seen as one in the same; the one who provided a better service always and ought to win. The contemporary global/telecommuting financial apparatus does not share that old value.