Do We Own Ourselves

Greed is a human evil, particularly when it leads to people ignoring the suffering of others.

Greed is not only evil, but it also violates civic morality.

A good society brings people together in difficult times.

People care about each other instead of trying to make a profit.

A society in which everyone takes advantage of their neighbors to profit from difficult times is not a good society.

Too much greed is thus a negative trait that a good society should strive to eliminate if at all possible.

The law prohibiting exorbitant prices does not eliminate greed, but it does limit its blatant manifestation as well as the manifestation of society's disapproval of it. Society affirms the virtue of sacrifice for the common good by punishing rather than rewarding greedy behavior.

Noting the importance of morality in a virtue argument does not imply that morality always takes precedence over other criteria.

You can reach a conclusion in some cases. The argument is that a hurricane-ravaged community could benefit the devil by allowing exorbitant prices in the hope of attracting an army of roofers and contractors from afar, even if it means allowing exorbitant prices.

Greed is not punished by moral loss. Repair the roof first, then the social structure. However, it should be noted that the debate over the anti-exorbitant law is about morality, about cultivating an individual's attitudes, character, and qualities - the foundation of a good society.

Some people, including supporters of exorbitant pricing, disagree with the moral argument because it is more judgmental than the welfare and freedom argument. Considering whether a policy will hasten or hasten economic recovery does not entail assessing people's preferences.

Everyone prefers an increase in income over a decrease, and they should not be judged based on how they spend their money.

Similarly, determining whether people truly have freedom of choice in coercive situations necessitates an examination of their options.

The only question is whether or not people are free rather than compelled.