Self Interest Well Understood Flashcards
Who turned a job or a vocation into a calling sent by God?
Luther
According to Calvin’s followers, what was the sign that one was saved?
Wealth
What is the Protestant Work Ethic?
A willingness to serve God through work.
What are the problems with Weber’s Protestant Work Ethic thesis?
There is not a strong enough link between Calvin’s teachings and a capitalist work ethic that is driven by money.
Did George Washington believe that interest was the governing factor of men’s lives, not virtue?
Yes
Who said, “Passion never fails to wrest the scepter from reason?”
Publius
According to Max Weber, what tradition turned the lust of wealth into a sign of salvation?
Protestant (mixture of Calvin and Luther)
John Locke and Ben Franklin articulated that the pursuit of self-interest was a manifestation of the pursuit of freedom? What tradition of self interest is this?
Liberalism
In showing the passing of the high virtues of the aristocracy, Tocqueville explains that people are pushed to focus on their self-interest in this new age of democratic equality. Which tradition of self-interest is this?
Democracy (and the accompanying principle of equality)
Who justified the wealth could be accumulated without limit?
John Locke
Who argued that wealth, property, and/or interest makes people calm and sweet, not inclined toward violence or glory?
Montesquieu
According to Franklin, how does one achieve moral perfection?
Through commercial virtues - focus on oneself first and then seek to serve others.
According to aristocracy, how does one achieve moral perfection?
Through the cardinal virtues - focus on others first and the by-product of that service ennobles one.
According to Tocqueville, what is the “Equality of Conditions?”
In a society, it is shown to mean that we dislike distinctions, but appreciate similarity.
According to Tocqueville, what are the five things that equality unleashes?
- A desire for well-being 2. a tendency to valorize what is useful 3. a loosening of social bonds 4. an opportunity for perfection 5. redefined duties to each other (less imagination and more self-centeredness)
Which mode of governance most espoused and venerated traits like virtue, beauty, sacrifice, the heroic ideal, and class/station?
Aristocracy
Why are aristocracies unsustainable?
Being spirited is too dangerous, and sacrificing life and limb isn’t as dependable as the desire to live a peaceful and harmonious life.
Define “Self Interest Well Understood.”
We connect our individual interests to the general interest; learning that what is good for us is also what is good for society at large.
Which passion is strong enough to control the others?
Interest
How is interest a moral principle?
We avoid doing bad things, because it goes against our material and economic interest.
Who said, “The doctrine turns personal interest back against itself and, and to direct passion, uses that incentive that excites them?”
Tocqueville
What are virtues developed by self-interest?
Steadiness, temperance, moderation, discipline, hard work, and far sight.
