So important is trade for human life as we know it that we could credibly define our species as homo cambiens: humans who exchange. There is, however, a competing form of humanity: homo economicus. For homo cambiens, trade is about people and things; for homo economicus, it is only about the maximisation of profit. What homo economicus doesn’t realise, however, is that sustainable profit needs homo cambiens.
ReadBehind the great twin evils of consumerism and individualism – most commonly vilified by individualistic, middle-class consumers – lies a bigger, deeper menace: the culture of entitlement. People have always wanted more, but never have they expected so much.
ReadThe social networking genie is out of the bottle and it is far too mischievous to be tamed. Discretion was hard enough to maintain when it could count on the support of social mores. Now that honesty, openness and sharing are the supreme values, it stands no chance. There is no turning the clock back to the days when the four walls of home contained more secrets than anyone outside could imagine. With denial and cover-up no longer an option, we are going to have to become more forgiving of others and of ourselves.
ReadAn Olympiad of the least plausible claims ever made by philosophers would be a very busy competition indeed. One of the favourites for a podium place, however, would have to be Plato’s argument that no one knowingly chooses to do wrong. To do wrong is to err, and no one errs willingly. We are all only doing our best.
ReadWhat I think many religions have got right is that we are, in a sense, terminally inadequate. Even the best fall short, which is why there is a whole industry devoted to knocking so-called saints off their pedestals. And it is important that we recognise this: it is impossible to do better if you are under the illusion you’re already the best.
Read