People who pursue a career which fulfills them personally...

[KrazyHorse]

instead of monetarily are the most selfish people in the world.

People who pursue the highest-paying career are to be lauded for their selflessness.

Discuss.

[Ecofarm]

Fair enough.

I do what I want. I'm a "become the change" kinda guy.

[Japher]

They're getting to you...



OT: Not everyone can persue the "highest-paying" careers. However, people should live to the fullest of their potential, those who don't are being selfish. If this potential gets them paid more than great, however that is not always the case (i.e. many public officials could get paid more if they weren't in office). Still, if you are doing what you love, and do so at other's expenses, than you are being selfish. I don't care if you are fullfilled by accepting welfare.

[DaShi]

instead of monetarily are the most selfish people in the world.

People who pursue the highest-paying career are to be lauded for their selflessness.

Discuss.

I agree completely.

[Jon Miller]

instead of monetarily are the most selfish people in the world.

People who pursue the highest-paying career are to be lauded for their selflessness.

Discuss.

Depends on what the career is and what is done with that money.

You could argue that for some people con man, thief, prostitute, drug dealer, mafia member, etc are all the best monetary choice for some people.

I would argue that these are (generally) not to be lauded though.

Someone who is a starving artist rather than a engineer, on the other hand, probably shouldn't be lauded though.

Monetary benefit I think isn't directly related to how beneficial a career is, based on arguments similar to the exceptions I raised above.

JM

[KrazyHorse]

By being fulfilled at a low income you are avoiding taxation on your forsaken money wages. Because higher income people pay more in taxes relative to their benefits from govt this is equivalent to expropriating others for your own consumption.

[Wezil]

What if they have both? Well paid and doing what they want to be doing?

[Wiglaf]

The thread starter is on to something, but needs to take it step further. Those making under $30,000 past the age of 30 for more than 12 months should be sterilized.

[Jon Miller]

They're getting to you...



OT: Not everyone can persue the "highest-paying" careers. However, people should live to the fullest of their potential, those who don't are being selfish. If this potential gets them paid more than great, however that is not always the case (i.e. many public officials could get paid more if they weren't in office). Still, if you are doing what you love, and do so at other's expenses, than you are being selfish. I don't care if you are fullfilled by accepting welfare.

This sounds about right.

I will note that KH was talking about careers that fulfill... which could be more starving artists/etc.

JM

[KrazyHorse]

Depends on what the career is and what is done with that money.

You could argue that for some people con man, thief, prostitute, drug dealer, mafia member, etc are all the best monetary choice for some people.

I would argue that these are (generally) not to be lauded though.

Someone who is a starving artist rather than a engineer, on the other hand, probably shouldn't be lauded though.

Monetary benefit I think isn't directly related to how beneficial a career is, based on arguments similar to the exceptions I raised above.

JM

Why are you lumping together productive pursuits (prostitution, drug dealing) with thievery and the like?

[KrazyHorse]

What if they have both? Well paid and doing what they want to be doing?

Then they're lucky and moral.

[self biased]

The thread starter is on to something, but needs to take it step further. Those making under $30,000 past the age of 30 for more than 12 months should be sterilized.

that's setting the bar pretty low wiggy. are you feeling okay?

[Japher]

I like what I do and I get paid enough for it. Could I being doing something else and getting paid more for it? Probably, but I don't feel moraly obligated to do so.

[Hauldren Collider]

Drug dealing hurts others; I wouldn't call it productive. We lose more in medical costs and the fact that smackheads can't get jobs than we gain in the economic activity.

@ OP: I agree, however I don't think you should expect everyone to exhibit that level of selflessness. I would rather be happy than well paid. Although being well paid factors into my happiness. If we are expected to work not to make ourselves happier, why would we work?

[KrazyHorse]

I'm sorry, but working in an investment bank has caused me to expect too much from people. I need to reassociate with the dregs of society (social workers, scientists, teachers etc.) to remind myself how low human beings can sink.