Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Talmudic capitalism
Jewish law permits salesmanship. While salespeople must provide only accurate information and reveal any defects, they are allowed to make a one-side presentation which shows the customer the benefits of their product. The Talmud states that it is not unfair competition for a storekeeper to offer customers inducements to come specifically to his store, since competitors are welcome to do likewise. (1) By the same token, a storekeeper can point out the benefits of his own product, allowing competitors an equal opportunity to tout the benefits of their own wares.
Competition leads to mutual benefit. In other words, there is no inherent relationship between Judaism and Communism, and in fact the opposite is true. That's my take, anyway. Perhaps I should do a comparison between Talmudic economic ideals and those of Laborem Exercens.
