“Moral Criticisms of the Market” has done a superb task of defending free market from criticisms of “Christian Socialists.”

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Ken S. Ewert in “Moral Criticisms of the Market” has done a superb task of defending free market from criticisms of “Christian Socialists.” I totally agree with his perspective that Christian’s moral view of the free market has a shortfall. The market has been accused of ethical issues of selfishness/ individualism and materialism. Christians have argued that in free market, human character that was God’s most desired thing in human creature has been eroded, providing a chance for people to indulge excessively on individual concerns (Ewert, K., 1989).

According to Christians, free market promotes selfishness and therefore sin. They argue that selfishness increase with the abundance of commodities one can choose from in the market; forcing individuality, something God never planned for humanity (Ewert, K., 1989). Ewert argues that Christians do not know that the root cause of sin is falleness of man, but not the market. He submits that the market in itself is morally neutral, and the free market creates means for generation of wealth that can be used for charity.

Another accusation against the free market is materialism in terms of economic power which is associated with market resource mobilization. A capable man, since he is able to survive in difficult times, is seen as an oppressor of the poor, going against the biblical teachings (Ewert, K., 1989). According to Ewert (1989), free market gives individuals liberty to choose and set their goals and priorities, but does not dictate. An individual’s self-indulgence is purely their personal choice (Ewert, K., 1989).

I support Ewert’s argument that free market restrains sins without pretending to purge people from their selfishness or materialistic characters. Morality of a person cannot be changed by an economic system but his/her restrain to external expression of sin. This is what free market does.

References

Ken. Ewert (1989). “Moral Criticisms of the Market” –Retrieved from http://www.fee.org/the_freeman/detail/moral-criticisms-of-the-market#axzz2b2UeszQb on 06/08/2013.