In capitalist societies the primary virtue is competence.
Competence is a special virtue in capitalism because it reinforces the other virtues of capitalism that make life so great.
For it is competence that creates trust, reliability, and efficiency in society. The value of these virtues are reflected by the abundant number of life enhancing goods and services produced by those who possess them.
Likewise competence can be appreciated as a special virtue in contrast with other alleged virtues of different political regimes.
In socialism, for instance, there are no virtues -- socialists only want total freedom. This implies a gross lack of restraint and responsibility and hence the absence of virtue.
Nor does it suffer from the elites’-- i.e. the pseudo aristocracy’s -- tainted claims to dignity, righteousness, or superiority.
And lastly competence isn’t a virtue that encourages the mob and the elite to bankrupt society like the needless idea of “equality.”
Competence, then, is a virtue that can uplift everyone.
For competence is also a virtue the greatest number of good people can easily attain.
Not everyone, for instance, can be courageous, patient, or tasteful. But almost everyone can be competent insofar as they’re attentive to and respectful of the needs of the people they’re employed to serve.
In this way competence -- and the moneyed incentive capitalism provides to those whom are competent -- is truly a democratic virtue.
And if everyone insisted upon becoming competent we would see a renaissance of democratic camaraderie and national achievement. Wouldn’t that be better than resentfully confiscating others wealth in the name of “equality” or freedom?
Zigmund Reichenbach holds a M.A. in Philosophy from West Chester University. You can find him commenting on news stories of national and state interest at his Facebook page Zigmund Reichenbach -- Commentator or you can follow him on Twitter @zreichenbach1.
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