Why are the world’s most profitable businesses oil, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, illegal drugs, prostitution..

Question

and slavery?

What does this say about humans as a people?

How can we realign our priorities?

Answer 1

Maybe being profitable isn't really a worthy priority. I think community esteem is a much more sought after goal.

Also, haven't you overlooked the richest man in the world, Bill Gates. He got his fortune by creating one of the most useful tools mankind has ever seen, Microsoft.

You need to consider the 'number' of people engaged in the businesses you have mentioned. They number in the few thousand, as opposed to the millions and millions of every day people who are held in the highest regard in their own communities. They are they ones we interact with every day, and we choose to follow.

Ask yourself, who is your hero? Surely not one of the ones you have spotlighted in your question.