An observation by Bertrand de Jouvenel on begrudging others’ riches. The question he takes up is this: Why are the great incomes of movie stars and singers not routinely attacked while the great incomes of CEOs and entrepreneurs are? “The film star or the crooner is not grudged the income that is grudged to the […]
Jouvenel on begrudging other people’s wealth Read More »
Via Roderick Long, here are the opening lines from “Madame Guillotine” (from the Scarlet Pimpernel musical): I know the gutter, and I know the stink of the street;kicked like a dog, I have spat out the bile of defeat.All you beauties who towered above me,you who gave me the smack of your rod –now I
Resentment psychology and “Madame Guillotine” Read More »
We’re posting serially at thinkspot the transcripts of my Open College podcasts. Here’s the eleventh: OC11: Is Envy Worse in a Free Society? “Is a free and open society more susceptible to the dangers of envy? It’s an interesting question because most often the envy charge is used against socialism, or any kind of outcome-egalitarian
Is Envy Worse in a Free Society? [Open College transcript] Read More »
A new episode of my podcast series, produced by Possibly Correct out of Toronto. Audio: iTunes Stitcher YouTube Topics: Envy-charge against socialism // Envy-charge against liberal capitalism // Rousseau and Rawls on how to combat envy // So: Is envy worse or better in a free society? // Envy as a worse anti-social problem in earlier societies //
Is Envy Worse in a Free Society? [Open College series] Read More »
A new episode of my podcast series, produced by Possibly Correct out of Toronto. Title: Envy’s Moral-Psychological Challenge
Envy’s Moral-Psychological Challenge [Open College series] Read More »
The essayist Joseph Epstein tells a story about going to his high school reunion. As the participants took their seats at the dinner tables, they each found a note left there anonymously. The note contained a poem: “It’s not the world. And what I have to say to those who don’t fit in is, don’t