The Ethics of Affluence
Summary
Wealth is morally neutral; its value derives from deployment. Productive deployment (innovation, infrastructure, capability-building) vs consumerist entropy. Critiques both anti-wealth moralizing and thoughtless consumption. Defends affluence when it funds expansion, agency-enhancement, existential risk reduction. Obligation isn’t redistribution but wise channeling.
Key Concepts
- Deployment ethics – Value of wealth determined by use, not possession
- Productive vs entropic – Innovation/infrastructure vs consumption/waste
- Channeling obligation – Responsibility to deploy wealth for leverage, not merely enjoy or redistribute