Part Three - Ethical dimensions
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 January 2022
Summary
The chapters in this section are particularly concerned with the ethical dimensions of the ‘right use of money’. Here, the authors suggest that individuals, companies and governments should be clear about their own moral and ethical stances; that is, on their own understanding of the right use of money. From this flow conclusions about how they might approach investment and the spending of resources.
For the use of money to have a moral dimension, Tony Stoller is concerned that monetary values reflect the true social costs of production and distribution. It needs to be less impersonal so that its link to relationships and interdependencies within communities is clearer. He suggests a number of approaches that would help move towards this.
Julia Neuberger emphasises the need to create a ‘culture of giving’ so that people are motivated to use money in altruistic ways. She suggests that it is the responsibility of all stakeholders in society to encourage this and suggests a number of measures that might contribute to a greater emphasis on ‘giving’ for the benefit of all.
From a Christian perspective, suggestions from a recent report of the Church of England's Doctrine Commission suggest that money no longer reflects productive activity, but is valued and speculated on in its own right, with the danger that it is idolised. The monetary system is seen as a force with power, rather than a utility that people are free to use as they wish. The ‘right use of money’ by individuals requires recognition that this force has to be managed by individuals, rather than meekly accepted.
Also at the individual level, Charles Handy points out that, above a certain threshold, more money does not necessarily lead to greater happiness. He suggests that individuals need to define what is ‘enough’ so that affluence ceases to be the sole symbol of success. Money can then be used for purposes other than increasing your own personal wealth. However, he does note that spending and hence pursuit of income allows the economy to grow, so that perhaps it is necessary for a more acquisitive approach to be maintained during the part of the lifecycle where career development and support of family is most important.
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- The Right Use of Money , pp. 47 - 48Publisher: Bristol University PressPrint publication year: 2004