Morality and the economy

THE Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church dedicates a big section to this topic of morality and the economy precisely because it in itself is important and essential in our life, and also because it is often forgotten or taken for granted, if not wantonly violated.

In one point of the Compendium, it is said that “the relation between morality and economics is necessary, indeed intrinsic: economic activity and moral behavior are intimately joined one to the other.” (331)

We have to remember that economics is not only a science but also a human activity, involving not only individuals but also whole societies. It cannot help but assume moral requirements that we have to pursue and fulfill, develop, protect and defend.

Economics should not be done in a purely materialistic way, expressed in terms of money alone, or profit. That would be an inhuman economics that would sooner or later convert us into objects or targets, and not anymore as persons, and much less as children of God.

We have to be wary of the subtle pressures—social and political—that lead us to forget about morality in economics. Some political leaders, for example, in their effort to gain political advantage, can just pursue economic plans that produce quick political favors but sacrifice some moral and spiritual requirements.

We can refer to the phenomena of workaholism and professionalitis that afflict many people and that erode family life as well as spiritual life of personal prayer and the fulfillment of religious obligations.

We also have the culture of indiscriminate dole-outs and bail-outs, and other forms of questionable entitlements and privileges that spoil people, making them overly dependent on others and the government.

There are other forms of inequalities and injustice: hiring of minors, pressuring women to work at the expense of caring for the family, unhealthy working conditions like young people asked to work overtime and at grave-yard shifts for long periods of time, children used in cybersex, etc.

The bad effects are unmistakable and are growing—physical, mental and spiritual deterioration, alcoholism, marital infidelities, family break-ups, cultural impoverishment, growing materialism, greed and envy.

We cannot anymore treat these problems independently of the organic relationship between morality and economics. We have to realize that they stem from a bigger problem that needs to be resolved adequately and quickly.

The Compendium further clarifies that “the necessary distinction between morality and the economy does not entail the separation of these two spheres but, on the contrary, an important reciprocity.”

This doctrine is very relevant these days since there is a big tendency for us not only to separate the two but also to put them in conflict. Very often we are forced to make a choice between the two. We are made to believe they cannot be together.

Everyone of us, in the different levels and aspects of life, from the individual to all degrees of collectivity that we get involved in, should realize that we need to be well grounded in the correct delineation of the link between morality and spirituality, on the one hand, and the economy, on the other hand.

We cannot remain naïve in this regard. We cannot anymore afford to stay primitive in this concern. Those involved more in the promotion of morality—priests and teachers—should be mindful of the objective needs of economics and should foster rather than obstruct their fulfillment.

So they should try their best also to know more and more about economics—its laws and different doctrines—so they could attune their teaching and counsels to concrete conditions of the people, and not remain only in theories that hardly have any impact on real situations.

We are now into an interdisciplinary way of life. We should continue our education and formation, updating ourselves with the endless flow of developments that are now also monitored more closely by our new technologies.

Those working more directly in the economy—employees and employers, businessmen, investors, etc.—should also be mindful of the requirements of morality. They just cannot remain in the level of practicality and profitability. They have to know the deeper needs of men and learn to adapt their economic plans to such needs.

The crises we are witnessing in the world at present are caused to a great extent by our not integrating morality and spirituality with our economics, business and politics. This is the challenge we are facing these days.

Let’s hope the bigger entities—churches, government, schools, families--can help in tackling this challenge, developing programs for this particular concern.

Sports and spirituality

BOYS will always be boys. Given any chance to play sports, their reaction is always lightning quick and wholehearted. In fact, I sometimes get the impression that’s where their heart really is. Classes are a poor second, or a third or fourth…

We just opened our yearly intramural Olympiad in school, and the school environment suddenly changed mood. More movement, more laughter, more color. The boys seem to be on auto-pilot, guided by instincts otherwise hidden during normal schooldays.

Through it all, I somehow detected unmistakable traces and signs of growth and development. There was more self-confidence, better teamwork, an increased daring to show their talents and gifts, or as they say, to strut their stuff.

It’s true that while their education requires some controlled environment, they need to be unleashed from time to time, asking them to do things on their own.

That’s where we can see whether degrees of maturity and sense of responsibility have been gained or not. That’s where we can see who are the leaders and who the followers. That’s where we can see their strengths and weakness.

I saw their cheer dance competition and their artwork exhibit—I could not be in all events—but I was already floored to see their creativity and artistry that truly widened my perspectives. It’s indeed a blessing that can come only from God.

It’s always moving to see them try their best to be more human and Christian, to become more mature and responsible in spite of the many demons they have to face. Human weakness and miseries, temptations from within and without hound them as they do everybody else. But their struggles have a peculiar quality.

They’re still awkward and prone to try flying without knowing exactly where they would land. They’re still into a grueling process of self-discovery, a very crucial stage where they need the most help that should not be too intrusive, which they resent.

It’s in sports where a common language is instantly spoken and understood even between staff and students, and practically by all. Barriers seen in classrooms and workshops seem to get dismantled in the gym. And everyone enjoys and looks forward to it.

That’s why sports has to be given its proper place in school life. It may not be the most important element, but I would say it’s an indispensable auxiliary component. For it can also be a terrific school of many virtues.

But it has to be infused also with the proper spirit. Otherwise, it can degenerate into a network of vices and inhuman attitudes—greed, lust, vanity, frivolity, etc.—that can become formidable since with sports this network gets extremely enjoyable and addictive.

Everyone needs to be reminded that sports has to serve our true dignity as persons and children of God. It cannot be an excuse for us to indulge in animality and savagery. Competition need not be an exercise of pride, envy and hatred.

It can be a healthy occasion to build a realistic attitude to life, for which one realizes the need for discipline and preparation, hardwork and focus. It can be a good learning moment for the interplay of the basic social principles of the common good, solidarity and subsidiarity.

Competition tells us we are not alone, we need to be with others. It tells us we have to work for a goal, each one contributing whatever he can and always doing it in an effective tandem with others.

Competition is a driver of development at least in the personal and social aspects of one’s life. It pushes one to go to the limits of his capabilities not only in the technical aspects but especially in the more human ones—magnanimity, gracefulness, patience, optimism, etc.

That’s why it is important to make everyone understand the true nature and purpose of competition. If one knows what competition really is and is for, he will always come out a victor whether he wins or loses in a game or business.

Defeat, according to General George Patton, is not due to losses but to the destruction of the soul. It’s when one surrenders to discouragement, pessimism, despair.

That’s why it is important that everyone learns to compete properly, correcting him whenever the spoilers of the true status of competition come. How essential is it, therefore, that the young ones be immediately reminded and encouraged whenever they show signs of misunderstanding it.

Of course, the very fundamental principle of sports and competition is one’s love for God. Outside of that, forget it.

Where fairness springs

TWO pieces of news caught my attention recently. Both came from the US. One says that the New York mayor decided to “ban religion” at the forthcoming 9/11 ceremony. The other, that the American communication regulating body finally scrapped the so-called “Fairness doctrine.”

Both are good materials to reflect once again on where we can find fairness in the media as in anywhere else. We should approach the issue with calmness, making deliberate effort to stay clear from the journalistic hypes and stretches that often twist and disfigure things and lead us to make unfair judgments and opinions.

In fairness to the New York mayor, I don’t think he is against religion per se. He just wanted, according to him, to give focus on the families of the victims of this tremendous tragedy. That’s why he would not invite not only religious leaders but also politicians.

He has a point, of course, although I would not agree with it completely. Religion and politics, whether we like it or not, simply have a role to play in such momentous event of remembering a heart-rending national disaster that has affected America and the world not only politically but also spiritually.

But I would not insist so much on my view. If the mayor thinks otherwise, so be it. I would not like to go deeper, at least for now, to see if there’s some hidden agenda, ulterior motive or bigger picture attached to this decision. But I would like that he reconsiders the religious part of the ceremony.

The other news about the discarding of the Fairness Doctrine amused me somehow. The people involved finally surrendered to the challenge of putting that doctrine into practice.

An official aptly said the doctrine was already a dead letter that should remain dead. Resurrecting it would just be an unnecessary distraction. In his rhetorical flourish, he offered to give it its last rites.

This is an interesting development, since fairness in media or in politics as in anywhere else is always a concern to be taken care of. While the decisions of the American officials regarding the specific cases mentioned above could be warranted, I believe everyone agrees that fairness never becomes obsolete.

Fairness should continue to be pursued and observed. But how can this be done? Especially in our Philippine setting, this concern is hardly given any serious thought.

I have read and studied a number of codes of ethics meant for journalists, for example, but I get the impression that they remain good intentions and beautiful words but not in action. They seem restricted to the confines of journalists’ organizations but have failed so far to go out to the real world.

There is a lot of bias and prejudice, bad manners and grammar, knee-jerk reactions displayed in the media everyday. The lines separating news-reporting and advocacy work and partisan politics are intentionally blurred. We have mongrels like “infomercials” and PR offices trained in psywar tactics and demolition jobs.

I believe that for fairness to emerge, everyone has to have a living, intimate relationship with God. Without this, one cannot live full integrity and honesty, his resistance to the demons and temptations around can not go very far. He will relent sooner or later.

The codes of ethics, beautifully crafted, should, of course, be internalized. But they should be rooted on God himself and on no other principle. Otherwise, they will just remain a façade.

Everyone has to rectify his intentions. Any form of communication, any use of the word, oral or written, should be understood as a participation of the living word of God that always conveys the truth in charity. Outside of that orbit, we would be prone to misuse and abuse words.

Everyone also has to make continuing examinations of conscience to see if things were done right, or if there were some mistakes, omissions, etc. that need to be corrected or repaired. This should be an integral part of our lifestyle.

Sometimes I get intrigued to note that if in our ordinary daily life, we often realize at the end of the day that we have committed some mistakes and therefore we need to say sorry, why is it that in our big affairs as in politics and in media, one seldom hears of apologies made? As if there were no mistakes committed.

Again, what can account for this is the secularized culture we have at present. People get awkward relating their lives and their affairs to God. But God is where fairness springs.