Notes from the Philosophy Meeting Thursday 17th September 2015
Topic: “There is no wealth but life” John Ruskin
Background: -
John Ruskin lived from 1819 to 1910. He was an ambitious and impassioned social reformer. He cared about one thing – beauty. He had a reputation for being apolitical and removed from real life. He saw that the world could not be made beautiful without it being changed politically, economically and socially. He was unusual for his time. Towards the end of his life Tolstoy described him as “one of the most remarkable men of all countries and all times.” Ruskin was educated at home and toured Europe with his parents each summer. The contrast between Venice and dingy urban life broke and enraged his heart. He lectured against the underlying principles of modern Capitalism, which he said shortened the lives of the poor and coarsened their spirits. After his father died, leaving him an enormous fortune, he took up practical action. He founded the Guild of St George, setting up sustainable farms and making affordable goods as well as schools with evening classes. He remains an inspiration to those who seek to alter the world in the direction of beauty and wisdom.
Full quote: -
There is no wealth but life. Life, including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration. That country is the richest which nourishes the greatest number of noble and happy human beings; that man is richest who, having perfected the functions of his own life to the utmost, has also the widest helpful influence, both personal, and by means of his possessions, over the lives of others.
Thoughts on Ruskin
Ruskin picked up on the beauty of things, saw ugly lives and wanted to change them
He wanted to use the same creativity that made Veniceto serve the average worker
Ruskin had the right ideas. He was a bit of a dilettante. He tried to get others to back him
People like Ruskin do exist today, but keep a low profile
Thoughts on human characteristics
Altruism distinguishes human life from animals, though some primates do look after one another
Most people are not greedy, most people are basically good
Thoughts on the need for some Money
In order to think of these things, we need our basic needs met
We just need enough to live without worrying about bills
We need physical security
Many still worry how to feed the family
We all need to feel secure, but some need more than others to feel secure within
Our needs are happiness, security and health. Most seek a job to provide money to achieve them
Thoughts on family
Wanting more isn’t always a bad thing – we want to be able to pass something on
We look to our own first
Money is terribly important to make sure the family have a good start
Choosing to have children can make you self-centred
Sometimes the family are forgotten in the urge to get money
Many walk a tight rope between family and work
Having children shouldn’t be seen as an insurance against loneliness in old age
Our family is our wealth
World systems
Capitalism needs brakes, but is preferable to communism
The world seemed to be getting better and better, that has changed
We are no longer ‘drawers of water and hewers of wood’ who can see the product of their work
Thoughts on wealth
How happy/content are the wealthy (or the poor)?
Will wealth give you what you value?
Do the wealthy pass some of what they have to others?
Ultra-rich buy art not for beauty but investment
Thoughts on Greed
Many are driven by the need to make money
Human beings are naturally greedy
Capitalist society engenders the feeling that we need more
There are drives in all of us that work against us
Many spend to enjoy what they can now with no regard to the future
When there is abundance, overindulgence follows
Acquisition can catch up with you
Many chase money; lose their health in the process, then chase health
Money and wealth can be corrosive
What we value
Fulfilment and enjoyment are more important than wealth
There is no value or enrichment in accumulating wealth
An empty life is not a happy life
Wealth doesn’t give life
There’s more to life than money
The person who has nothing has nothing to fear from robbers