GOOD-centric Exterior Spiritual Disciplines:
To live out goodness, fairness, and love
GOOD-centric Love in Economics
“This, then, is held to be the duty of the man of wealth: To set an example of modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent on him; and, after doing so, to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds, which he is called upon to administer, and strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community--the man of wealth thus becoming the mere trustee and agent for his poorer brethren, bringing to their service his superior wisdom, experience, and ability to administer, doing for them better than they would or could do for themselves.”
~ Andrew Carnegie
GOOD-centric economics values love, goodness, and fairness over maximizing profits. I believe that GOOD-centric economics would produce profits; but, perhaps not the exaggerated shareholder returns that have become the top priority in our current economic system. The investment class might profit less for the good of workers and the environment which profits us all. What would incentivize the investment class to give up extra profit for the good of others? Love. While there are some unabashedly selfish rich people, most members of the moneyed class are, or imagine themselves to be, loving, good, and fair. Let’s allow them to prove it.
In the late 19th century, industrialist Andrew Carnegie set the GOOD-centric tone on wealth: “No man becomes rich unless he enriches others,” "Do real and permanent good in this world,” and “The man who dies rich, dies disgraced.” In 2010, Warren Buffet gave chops to these sentiments by challenging other wealthy people to make The Giving Pledge to give away most of their money during their lifetimes and many have done so. Each year, Forbes magazine recognizes "The Americans Who Gave Away the Most Money." Let's globalize that list to provide social incentive and appreciation for these loving people who seek goodness and fairness for all over further enrichment of themselves. Imagine a world where "The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" is replaced by "The Lifestyles of the Less Rich and Loving, Good, and Fair." That, my friends, is GOOD-centric world.
