"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."
John Kenneth Galbraith
2007-11-09 07:36:54 · 7 answers · asked by Epicarus 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Coming from a socialist scumbag? Not surprising
When it came to socialism and its demise, Galbraith refused to give up his faith in the collectivist system even as real-world events brought the socialist system down one regime after another. In fact, it was this unshakable faith in collectivism that always endeared him to intellectual elites, as he tirelessly promoted the fiction that a better world was just around the corner, provided the "right" people were in charge
2007-11-09 07:43:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
I think there is some truth in what he said and I tend to be conservative... of course, I don't always see "selfishness" as a vice, it can often be a virtue. But selfishness should never be at the price of exploiting resources, especially people... and I think conservatives should be on guard of exploiting people for their own needs. The truth though is that "selfishness" is a human quality, both conservatives and liberals are selfish and have a mob mentality when it comes to individual rights.... neither side is exempt from trying to hurt the other at the expense of pragmatism. The Russian Revolution is a perfect example of this... as is this administration in modern times, a conservative realization. But then again look at the other side of the Atlantic at Britain and the Labor party (liberal) embraced America's selfishness as their own.
Quotes are neat but you can't sum up a human quality in a quote and act like it is an absolute truth.
2007-11-09 07:49:57 · answer #2 · answered by cattledog 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I think that to some extent he is correct. I think that's especially the case when it comes to some of the fiscal, global, and social policies of the conservatives. However, I think that some conservatives criticize us liberals, because they think that we're socially and fiscally irresponsible. I guess it's a matter of perspective.
2007-11-09 07:46:28 · answer #3 · answered by tangerine 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Selfishness, by it's very nature, doesn't need a moral justification.
But, egalitarianism is always in need of excuses for it's constant failures. This is one of them.
2007-11-09 07:54:53 · answer #4 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not surprising at all from a dyed in the wool liberal!!
These words from the grave apply directly to Al Gore and his selfish burning of fossil fuels in his many CO2 emitting estates
2007-11-09 07:45:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
The DM has it right! Commie-Pinko governments have never worked and they never will!
2007-11-09 07:46:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
So true
2007-11-09 07:47:32 · answer #7 · answered by RELAX 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋