Milch Cow Virtue

Hello, all.

Why is productivity an Objectivist virtue?

Let me put it another way: In the context of self-interest, why should a person be productive? We live in an immensely wealthy world, so the basic comforts of life are pretty cheap. So how does it benefit a person to add to this wealth any more production than needed to pay his way through life? If self-interest is paramount, why should he produce anything more than he consumes? (Other than a rainy day fund for prudence’s sake.)

Granted, if a fellow has expensive tastes, he’ll need to be more productive. But that still comes back to why produce more than you consume? Once you are productive beyond what you can consume, you are producing, ultimately, for the benefit of others – typically those who will inherit your estate. By Objectivist lights that looks altruistic: You work so others prosper. Yet, that is the result of productivity beyond your needs.

Productivity requires your time, no matter how efficient you are, and time is the one commodity you have only so much of. Thus your limited supply of time expended for another’s benefit (like your heirs) at no return for yourself (what good is wealth you aren’t consuming?) is a sacrifice. So how is productivity, beyond your capacity to consume, in your self-interest let alone a virtue?

How does Objectivism square productivity with self-interest?

Regards,

Bill

Post 1

Friday, June 18, 2004 - 12:39pm

I think this is a very good question. I've wondered about this before.

Maybe an Objectivist would say, you should be productive enough to reach the quality of life you desire. After that, just relax and do whatever you most enjoy, even if that isn't very productive.

And if you happen to care enough about other people and future generations that you would like to make some huge discovery or create some great business that will raise the quality of life for all the people you care about, then go for it. If that doesn't motivate you, then don't do it.

Didn't Dagny Taggart run her business mainly for the benefits it gave to other people? Not the moochers and looters, of course, but the people like Eddie Willers and John Galt--she wanted to help them, and she wanted to help raise them to a higher, better level of existence. There's even a line where she says she wouldn't run the trains if nobody were in them. She's doing it for other people, right? Because she *likes* helping them.

Personally, I *love* the idea of raising mankind to a higher level of civilization and a higher quality of life; and I *love* other people who are driven by this goal.

I don't think this means I'm some kind of selfless collectivist; I just think it means I love life, and I want other people to enjoy it too.

Post 2

Friday, June 18, 2004 - 12:44pm

Productivity is the virtue of achieving your values, primarily through use of your mind. It's about more than simply going to work, making money, and enjoying your wealth. It encompasses this notion, but it's so much higher.

Even if you have enough, you can always do better. I may have enough food, shelter, and clothing to live on, but I'll still work hard to keep my electricity.

Further, you noticed that having a certain buffer against nature is certainly understandable, but how large of a buffer? Doesn't it make sense that, the larger reserve you have for emergencies, the better off you are? It's one thing if you lose your possessions to a fire...it's another situation if the fire also damages your body and spreads to your vehicle. It's best to maximize the amount you've saved to cover as much as possible. Hence, it's in your self-interest to maximize your productivity.

Finally, some values attained aren't necessarily in the realm of wealth. In relationships, for example, values can be attained due to working with your partner that may not have a material pay-off. For example, before I was an Objectivist, the woman I would eventually marry taught me how to better handle guilt...and I taught her how to stand up for herself. Fine values achieved, indeed, even if the monetary pay-off from them could only be traced by speculation.

Post 3

Friday, June 18, 2004 - 3:36pm

"Productivity is the virtue of achieving your values, primarily through use of your mind." I don't wholeheartedly agree. Certainly your mind is involved but to me it's the end product that is valuable. To be "productive" is to create something of value to yourself or others but what you get out of it is a sense of efficacy — that you have control over what happens in your life and this leads to self-esteem. You set a goal, you achieve it and this leads to happiness. What more is there to aspire to?

To not be productive is to die, or to be a ward of the state, which to me is the same thing.

But, of course, you could be born rich and be a playboy. Well, I guess I've torpedoed my own argument. Shucks. :-)

Post 4

Saturday, June 19, 2004 - 8:26am