THERE IS NO ‘VALUE TO SOCIETY’
The search for a fair price or wage has been ongoing, starting from medieval times and continuing into modern discussions about social justice and wage disputes. However, attempts to establish clear guidelines for what constitutes a just wage have failed, as many acknowledge that there are no universal principles to define justice in this context. An experienced arbitrator highlighted the difficulty of determining fairness within an ethical vacuum, suggesting that political legislation might be the solution, though this raises concerns about the role of political power in deciding what is just.
The idea that services can have a designated "value to society" is misleading. Values are subjective and vary widely from person to person, meaning a service may have different values for different individuals. This thought can lead to a misunderstanding of society as a structured organization where everyone contributes to a single goal, reminiscent of totalitarian systems without personal freedoms.
Market wages often do not reflect the supposed societal value of services. For instance, earning differences among individuals with different roles are not indicative of their worth to society, but are based on the number of people they serve and the demand for their services. High earnings can sometimes seem unjust, but they are necessary to ensure that services continue to be offered and that markets function properly.
Public perceptions of fairness in remuneration also vary. People often accept high incomes for certain entertainers but may question the earnings of those in roles they do not understand or consider harmful. Furthermore, the complexities of modern society demand that wages reflect market value rather than the views of the majority. Ultimately, the concept of "social justice" fails to provide clear guidance on determining fair wages, as it lacks a concrete basis in reality.
The search for a fair price or wage has been ongoing, starting from medieval times and continuing into modern discussions about social justice and wage disputes. However, attempts to establish clear guidelines for what constitutes a just wage have failed, as many acknowledge that there are no universal principles to define justice in this context. An experienced arbitrator highlighted the difficulty of determining fairness within an ethical vacuum, suggesting that political legislation might be the solution, though this raises concerns about the role of political power in deciding what is just.
The idea that services can have a designated "value to society" is misleading. Values are subjective and vary widely from person to person, meaning a service may have different values for different individuals. This thought can lead to a misunderstanding of society as a structured organization where everyone contributes to a single goal, reminiscent of totalitarian systems without personal freedoms.
Market wages often do not reflect the supposed societal value of services. For instance, earning differences among individuals with different roles are not indicative of their worth to society, but are based on the number of people they serve and the demand for their services. High earnings can sometimes seem unjust, but they are necessary to ensure that services continue to be offered and that markets function properly.
Public perceptions of fairness in remuneration also vary. People often accept high incomes for certain entertainers but may question the earnings of those in roles they do not understand or consider harmful. Furthermore, the complexities of modern society demand that wages reflect market value rather than the views of the majority. Ultimately, the concept of "social justice" fails to provide clear guidance on determining fair wages, as it lacks a concrete basis in reality.