by Eric Albert
We live in a country of extraordinary wealth, yet many of us are struggling with the cost of necessities—food, gasoline, housing, healthcare, utilities, and everyday goods. We are told that rising prices are simply the result of inflation, supply and demand, labor costs, global events, or disruptions in the marketplace. All of those explanations may have some validity. But I ask: Just because something can be done in a market, does that mean it is ethically acceptable?
Capitalism is built on the idea that people should be rewarded for their work, their ideas, their investments, and their willingness to take risks. There is, of course, nothing inherently unethical about making money—even making a great deal of money. But at what point does making a greater profit become taking advantage?