Business & Integrity (Show 050)
Not until after the show did we realize, that this is our 50th show and that talkObjectivism has been around for about a year now! I know, it’s crazy! But I digress.
This show started with a discussion on an essay from Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal entitled “The Assault on Integrity” by Alan Greenspan (who is no longer associated with Objectivism). Mosley gave the following excerpt which captures the essence of the essay:
Protection of the consumer against “dishonest and unscrupulous business practices” has become a cardinal ingredient of welfare statism. Left to their own devices, it is alleged, businessmen would attempt to sell unsafe food and drugs, fraudulent securities, and shoddy buildings. Thus, it is argued, the Pure Food and Drug Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the numerous building regulatory agencies are indispensable if the consumer is to be protected from the “greed” of the businessman.
But is it precisely the “greed” of the businessman or, more appropriately, his profit-seeking, which is the unexcelled protector of the consumer.
Today’s common conceptions of greed and selfishness are wrong. There is nothing “selfish” about cheating and stealing from others in order to get as much as you can today, the short-term, while ruining any chance of earning more in the future, the long-term. Rather, this is destructive to the self, destroying not only any future potential for profit, but one’s integrity and self-esteem.
After discussing this, Mosley goes on to provide examples of the free-market at work and how regulation is not necessary when businessmen are truly greedy. He also mentions the topic for next week’s show, the introductory essay from C:TUI called “What is Capitalism?” We hope you’ll join us.
Also, we wanted to thank Mrs. Diana Hsieh for her gracious mention of the show on her blog, which I highly recommend. She updates it frequently with things that are both entertaining and educational, which will likely be of interest to any Objectivist or Student of Objectivism.
Listen to this show and more at Talkshoe.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Fix spelling: Integrity, not Intergrity.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Thanks Gideon. Its fixed now.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Okay, just so you know I’m not just here to nit-pick your spelling errors: I heard of your site via Diana’s Noodlefood blog. Just listened to show 50 and found it quite enjoyable (minus the mixed sound quality). It’s nice to have an informal discussion of these topics. I intend to listen to some of your previous shows and look forward to next week’s program.
March 10th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Hello Gideon, I’m glad you enjoyed the show. Just so you know, it is normally a dialog between the host, Mosley, and the recurring guest Arthur. If you’re looking for previous shows to check out, I might talk to Mosley about picking out some of the favorites (since we just hit 50).
Also, I’m trying to get the show notes up more promptly and I guess I made a typo. Thanks for bringing that to our attention!
March 10th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Brandon what a great idea, we should pick out 5 shows and I will make a greatest hits page. Let’s work on this tonight.