A very common theme I hear from people, and something I also believe in, is that people should work to earn what they have. I believe everyone should be guaranteed food, shelter, and minimal health care, but if they want a standard of living any higher than that it should come due to their working and contributing to society. I think most people agree with this, but it seems quite a lot of people rant about how all the freeloaders are ruining this country. I'm not debating if that is true or not, just pointing out people bring it up all the time. So, my question is, what about inheriting wealth from your parents? Or investing money in the stock market. It seems like if you believe people should earn their place in society they should not be able to get wealth in these ways. For example, I am 29, lets say my parents die and left me enough money so I didn't have to work ever again. Is that fair? Would I be freeloading off of society, specifically my parents hard work?
I'm not looking at this from an economic point of view. I agree investing money in the stock market is good for the economy and you should benefit from the risk. I also don't think all your possessions should be confiscated when you die. I am just looking at it from a moral point of view. If we place such high value on hard work, being a self-made man, contributing to society, how do you justify these methods of accumulating wealth?
Thanks for reading.
I'm not looking at this from an economic point of view. I agree investing money in the stock market is good for the economy and you should benefit from the risk. I also don't think all your possessions should be confiscated when you die. I am just looking at it from a moral point of view. If we place such high value on hard work, being a self-made man, contributing to society, how do you justify these methods of accumulating wealth?
Thanks for reading.