The Moral Conflict: Why Capitalism is Resented

Introduction

Despite its immense success in improving human life, capitalism is often resented. Why? The answer, it turns out, is not economic or historical—but moral.

The Core of Capitalism: Self-Interest

At the heart of capitalism is self-interest. Capitalism encourages individuals to produce, create, and trade out of personal motivation:

“Steve Jobs made the iPhone not just to profit, but because he loved it. He made it for himself and those he cared about.”

Production

Motivated by profit and passion
People work not just for money, but for purpose, love of the craft, and self-fulfillment

Consumption

Consumers buy not to support the economy but to better their own lives
Even gifts are given to those we care about — self-interest in disguise

The Moral Dissonance

Here lies the conflict: Capitalism is a system of self-interest, while our dominant moral code demands selflessness.

“Our moral ideal is selflessness. But capitalism demands we live for ourselves.”

We’re taught:

Selfishness is evil
Virtue is sacrifice
Success without suffering is morally suspicious

As a result, businessmen—despite improving billions of lives—receive no moral credit, and are instead treated with suspicion.

Saints and Sinners

Bill Gates, who revolutionized global computing, gets moral condemnation.
Mother Teresa, who helped thousands but celebrated suffering, is revered as a saint.

Why? Because she sacrificed, and he profited.

“The moral code says: suffering is good. Profit is suspect.”

The Guilt of Success

Businesspeople often feel guilty for their success. This is why:

They emphasize their philanthropy over their achievements
They “give back,” assuming they must have taken something

But profit isn’t taking — it’s creating. Capitalists create wealth. There’s nothing to give back because nothing was stolen.

The Rise of the Welfare State

This guilt fuels the welfare state:

Politicians manipulate guilt to raise taxes and expand redistribution
Wealth is taken from creators and handed to bureaucracies
This stifles productivity, independence, and innovation

“The rich counties always vote to raise taxes on themselves — not because it’s rational, but because they feel guilty.”

Regulation and Distrust

If businessmen are self-interested, and self-interest is immoral, then:

Every CEO is a crook-in-waiting
Every company must be regulated
Every success must be watched

Hence, massive regulatory agencies are born—not out of need, but out of moral suspicion.

A Deeper Philosophical Divide

This rejection is not just moral but epistemological.

Two Views of Human Nature:

Aristotelian: Humans are rational, capable of understanding truth and directing their own lives.
Platonic: Only a select few (philosopher-kings, experts, bureaucrats) know the truth. The rest must be ruled.

Capitalism trusts the individual. But modern culture trusts the planner.

Conclusion

We reject capitalism not because it fails—but because it contradicts our inherited moral and philosophical foundations.

“Capitalism is hated because it is moral — and we’ve been taught the opposite.”

Until we challenge the ethics of self-sacrifice, and embrace the morality of rational self-interest, capitalism will continue to be undermined—no matter how much it benefits humanity.