________________
LIVELIHOOD WITH RELIGION: LIMITS TO DESIRES
105
4. Accumulation of wealth is achieved. In times of adversity, it
provides the necessary assistance. 5. Arts, crafts, skills, commerce and industry are promoted.
All economists do not support luxuries. The view of the segment of economists not supporting luxuries maintains that, with luxuries:
1. class inequality increases; 2. capital for production is eroded; 3. the interest of the poor is alfected, and 4. malice and hatred increase.
This point of view about luxuries is not basically different from that of religion, but the rationale is entirely different.
The second difference between religious and economic thinking is that the latter does not recognise the imperative essentiality of the moral principles. Disregard for moral principles is not its objective, but is a question of basic postulate. Its basic principle is utility. The meaning of utility is the capacity to satisfy wants. According to moral principles, alcohol is not beneficial for man, that is why it is also not useful. That thing alone can be useful which is beneficial. The one which does not give happiness cannot be beneficial, and the one which cannot be beneficial cannot be useful.
The Viewpoint of Economics In Economics, the definition of utility is different from that in Ethics. According to it, there is no association between utility and its usefulness. A commodity satisfying a want, even though not beneficial, possesses utility. Drinking alcohol is definitely harmful, but alcohol which a person consumes possesses utility. The person who drinks experiences the need for alcohol and satisfies his need: Dr. Robbins has expressed the opinion that several subjects in Economics are studied which do not have even remote relationship with human welfare. Drinking alcohol does not increase the welfare and happiness of a person. On the other
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
