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This is a discussion on "Is honor dead":
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asperoth
I can see that to an extent, but is it then honorable that they're promoting fast food, or is that merely a side effect of their attempt to boost their own sales?
I've worked rather closely with McDonald's (worked Tech Support for them for a year) and my experience with them didn't scream "we're doing this for the customer". McDonald's is a VERY capitalistic company and one I mentioned because of my knowledge of their system. Though I will not argue that they're actions have indeed helped out other companies, I don't believe they did so honorably as they were acting in their own interest and simply happened to help others as a side effect.
I will agree that some of the most successful companies are honorable and they earn the respect of their customers, but I think that would be in the minority in America. Tobacco companies are exceptionally powerful in the capitalist society and have their hand in everything (they even own Kraft, among numerous other companies). For the past several years television has been producing the "TRUTH" ads meant to get the truth about smoking out to Americans. The annoyance of the commercials aside, many people might think these commercials are an act of honor by the tobacco companies (they do produce them, I believe), however nothing could be farther from the truth. The companies produce such ads because they lost a law suit over advertising and were forced to do them - I would not call an action that is done under force of law one of honor.
Warren Buffett giving away his fortune to charity? I think that would considered honorable.
Oh, and Myrsith, nice post...
(Queenie, sorry if this is off topic from what you had in mind, if it is, just say so )
end quote
http://www.atlasshrugged.tv/speech.htm
If you got through all that then you know where this is coming from.
I by no means am a die hard Randian. I will discredit some of what she says in a heart beat; though, I have read her works and still to this day cannot find a better ideal for what honor is. What is honor then but the courage to do what we were most suited to do in the world? Think. There is honor in being able to take care of yourself, or to gain the respect and admiration of friends, family, and collegues. There is however no honor in forced actions and make believe "goodwill" by putting oneself at a gross disadvantage in the process. Remember the computer you are typing on was only granted to you through a system that promotes a lifestyle that focuses on personal gain and happiness. If we cannot make decisions without incentives then we can make those incentives honorable and life gving ones. Is our system less than the ideal I give to you in the link. You bet. But the honor is not in being the ideal. It's in the striving for it.
Killzorz, I think you touch closely on this definition of honor when you take it to mean a level of pride and respect we hold for ourselves, and in such treat people accordingly (with the same standards). Is honor dead? It is only an ideal. Just like beauty or intentions. It will only die if we forget what it was to live as normal human beings. I have friends that prove to me everyday that it is very much a part of them, and you for thinking about it in the first place.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asperoth
I can see that to an extent, but is it then honorable that they're promoting fast food, or is that merely a side effect of their attempt to boost their own sales?
I've worked rather closely with McDonald's (worked Tech Support for them for a year) and my experience with them didn't scream "we're doing this for the customer". McDonald's is a VERY capitalistic company and one I mentioned because of my knowledge of their system. Though I will not argue that they're actions have indeed helped out other companies, I don't believe they did so honorably as they were acting in their own interest and simply happened to help others as a side effect.
I will agree that some of the most successful companies are honorable and they earn the respect of their customers, but I think that would be in the minority in America. Tobacco companies are exceptionally powerful in the capitalist society and have their hand in everything (they even own Kraft, among numerous other companies). For the past several years television has been producing the "TRUTH" ads meant to get the truth about smoking out to Americans. The annoyance of the commercials aside, many people might think these commercials are an act of honor by the tobacco companies (they do produce them, I believe), however nothing could be farther from the truth. The companies produce such ads because they lost a law suit over advertising and were forced to do them - I would not call an action that is done under force of law one of honor.
Warren Buffett giving away his fortune to charity? I think that would considered honorable.
Oh, and Myrsith, nice post...
(Queenie, sorry if this is off topic from what you had in mind, if it is, just say so )
end quote
http://www.atlasshrugged.tv/speech.htm
If you got through all that then you know where this is coming from.
I by no means am a die hard Randian. I will discredit some of what she says in a heart beat; though, I have read her works and still to this day cannot find a better ideal for what honor is. What is honor then but the courage to do what we were most suited to do in the world? Think. There is honor in being able to take care of yourself, or to gain the respect and admiration of friends, family, and collegues. There is however no honor in forced actions and make believe "goodwill" by putting oneself at a gross disadvantage in the process. Remember the computer you are typing on was only granted to you through a system that promotes a lifestyle that focuses on personal gain and happiness. If we cannot make decisions without incentives then we can make those incentives honorable and life gving ones. Is our system less than the ideal I give to you in the link. You bet. But the honor is not in being the ideal. It's in the striving for it.
Killzorz, I think you touch closely on this definition of honor when you take it to mean a level of pride and respect we hold for ourselves, and in such treat people accordingly (with the same standards). Is honor dead? It is only an ideal. Just like beauty or intentions. It will only die if we forget what it was to live as normal human beings. I have friends that prove to me everyday that it is very much a part of them, and you for thinking about it in the first place.