Why does economic development matter? Is economic development an end-in-itself or is it a means to some other end? What is the telos (ultimate end) of economic development? The basic needs, as developed by Maslow and probably many others, are fundamentally dependent upon the economies of the nation within which we all live. The economy is not the only affecting reality, there also is social stratification, and other fundamentals, but economic development is a very important factor. The economic development within a society is governed by many sources; local government, national government, NGOs (nongovernmental organizations), and now a growing globalization ties the whole world together more or less. Economists generally define the goal of economic development in terms of sustained economic growth, i.e. sustained rise in per capita gross domestic growth, i.e. GDP. Some economists define the goal in terms of equity within development, i.e. growth with equity. If all of the benefits of growth merely make the rich richer and the poor poorer we are not reaching a desirable goal. There are negative feedback control systems such as a furnace/thermostat or our own bodies. There are positive feedback control systems such as an ordinary fire or our capitalistic economic system. In a fire the higher the temperature the faster the fuel is burned; the faster the fuel burns the higher goes the temperature. In a business enterprise it is common practice to put a percentage of profit into advertising. More advertising creates greater sales, which mean higher profit. A negative feedback system seeks out equilibrium; a positive feedback system has no equilibrium and is ever accelerating. If we have a positive feedback system, such as capitalism being now abetted by Globalism, we face the horrendous situation that the greater the progress the faster the spiral of destruction when considering that the world and humans are negative feedback systems. If we choose to continue with our present Global/capitalistic program we must find a way to dampen the positive feedback system. Biologists, and probably other sciences, inform us that human conceit, i.e. human ego, distorts our ability to comprehend our self. Egocentricities motivate us into irrational behavior thereby imperiling our survival; the human animal is arrogant and dangerous. Mark Twain was told that “man is the noblest work of God” to which he replied “Now, who found that out?” Bernard James, author of “The Death of Progress” argues that perhaps a new moral order might be the solution to acquiring the means to avoid self-extinction. He argues that creation is a function of life. It is inventive acts that govern the evolution and survival requirements of human and ecosystems. I suggest that we must find a new formula for the encouragement of creativity directed at this monumental problem. This is a problem that demands quick action and it seems to me that we cannot wait several generations for this to be accomplished. Today’s adults must recognize the problem and must energetically seek a solution. I think that an invigorated self-actualization through self-learning by adults is required. I am not talking about more schooling. Schooling has left us learning-handicapped. This effort must be self-learning. Adults must begin a concentrated effort toward developing an intellectual life far beyond that which now exists. My solution is that the general level of intellectual sophistication of the population is necessary if our species is to survive. Do you have any interest in this matter?
Firstly, why do you assume that there is some sort of teleological requirement (to anything..)? Secondly, economic development matters because we need to eat.
Why do forum spammers matter? Google this: "Why does economic development matter?" This guy posts the same article on 50 forums constantly.
Perhaps this explains his inability to respond to specific questions and criticism: it would take more than 24 hours a day. I think he needs to look up the words 'discussion' and 'forum' and spend some time working out what they mean in combination.
Maslow informs us that we have other needs than eating and shelter. We have needs for security, self-esteem, and self-actualization. Does economic development help fill those needs? Does economic development care about such needs? Should we concern our self abut such matters?
What is a Dutch Uncle? A Dutch uncle is a person who gives unwelcome advice. Dutch uncle is a term for a person who issues frank and severe comments and criticism to educate, encourage or admonish someone, often with benevolent intent, as an elder relative or uncle would.
So your presumption is that you have the advice we need, you are our elder and therefore there really is no point in actually trying to understand and respond to our criticisms and questions, except to the extent of serving us more paraphrases of the thoughts of people you 1) admire and 2) think we have not read ourselves. I have a real uncle who could manage to demonstrate critical thinking by allowing an actual to and fro discussion of ideas to take place. In this discussion he was able to specifically respond to criticisms I made and questions about his ideas and considered THAT PROCESS central to the meeting. It was also clear that he was learning himself during the process. Relaying the criticial thinking of others is not critical thinking.
A Dutch Uncle cannot pass up the opportunity to insert this little post. CT is an acronym for Critical Thinking. Everybody considers themselves to be a critical thinker. That is why we need to differentiate among different levels of critical thinking. Most people fall in the category that I call Reagan thinkers—trust but verify. Then there are those who have taken the basic college course taught by the philosophy dept that I call Logic 101. This is a credit course that teaches the basic principles of reasoning. Of course, a person need not take the college course and can learn the matter on their own effort, but I suspect few do that. The third level I call CT (Critical Thinking). CT includes the knowledge of Logic 101 and also the knowledge that focuses upon the intellectual character and attitude of critical thinking. It includes knowledge regarding the ego and social centric forces that impede rational thinking. Most decisions we have to make are judgment calls. A judgment call is made when we must make a decision when there is no “true” or “false” answers. When we make a judgment call our decision is bad, good, or better. Many factors are involved: there are the available facts, assumptions, skills, knowledge, and especially personal experience and attitude. I think that the two most important elements in the mix are personal experience and attitude. When we study math we learn how to use various algorithms to facilitate our skill in dealing with quantities. If we never studied math we could deal with quantity on a primary level but our quantifying ability would be minimal. Likewise with making judgments; if we study the art and science of good judgment we can make better decisions and if we never study the art and science of judgment our decision ability will remain minimal. I am convinced that a fundamental problem we have in this country (USA) is that our citizens have never learned the art and science of good judgment. Before the recent introduction of CT into our schools and colleges our young people have been taught primarily what to think and not how to think. All of us graduated with insufficient comprehension of the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for the formulation of good judgment. The result of this inability to make good judgment is evident and is dangerous. I am primarily interested in the judgment that adults exercise in regard to public issues. Of course, any improvement in judgment generally will affect both personal and community matters. To put the matter into a nut shell: 1. Normal men and women can significantly improve their ability to make judgments. 2. CT is the domain of knowledge that delineates the knowledge, skills, and intellectual character demanded for good judgment. 3. CT has been introduced into our schools and colleges slowly in the last two or three decades. 4. Few of today’s adults were ever taught CT. 5. I suspect that at least another two generations will pass before our society reaps significant rewards resulting from teaching CT to our children. 6. Can our democracy survive that long? 7. I think that every effort must be made to convince today’s adults that they need to study and learn CT on their own. I am not suggesting that adults find a teacher but I am suggesting that adults become self-actualizing learners. 8. I am convinced that learning the art and science of Critical Thinking is an important step toward becoming a better citizen in today’s democratic society. Questions for discussion// Have you ever had a course in Critical Thinking in any educational institution? Have your children ever had a course in Critical Thinking in any educational institution? Perhaps you are not familiar with CT. I first encountered the concept about five years ago. The following are a few Internet sites that will familiarize you with the matter. http://www.freeinquiry.com/critical-notes.html http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cach...nking multi-logical&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=11 http://www.chss.montclair.edu/inquiry/fall95/weinste.html http://www.criticalthinking.org/resources/articles/glossary.shtml http://www.doit.gmu.edu/inventio/past/display_past.asp?pID=spring03&sID=eslava
As long as that development can lead to a better standard of living and a healthier, better way of life without having to much impact on the environment there's nothing wrong. It's when uncontrolled growth and lack of planning that makes things very bad for people. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
It is so strange. I am having a deja vu experience. It is almost as if I have seen you post this many times before. You do realize how much more powerful it would be if you could role model critical thinking by responding to criticism and questions in ways that show 1) you understand the questions and criticism 2) you understand the ideas you are paraphrasing enough to discuss them rather than simply repeat them Show, rather than tell. Demonstrate, rather than advocate something it is not at all clear you can do yourself.
You haven't answered my question. You do realize that it is fallacious to attempt to support an argument based on an appeal to one source right? Simply because Maslow 'says so', doesn't make it so. I suggest you take a 2 minute perusal of reality; the answers are there.
