the ethics of money matters
Hi my friends,
Ponder this - If we use our money to make a difference, does it MATTER how we make it?
This question fascinates me and has been on my mind as we head towards the end of the year and the peak season of altruism, gift giving and charitable donations.
A few months ago, I read a letter to the New York Times Ethicist column in which a woman asked, ‘Is it OK to take a law-firm job defending climate villains?” For context, she was weighing whether it was morally acceptable for her to ‘help the bad guys’ in the short term; to in turn, earn a bigger salary so she could comfortably take care of her family, pay off her personal debt and contribute to her community.
At its core, her question asks us to weigh our ethics in the short-term vs long term and where we, as a society, want to draw the line. Think Robin Hood, the ultimate anti-hero in tights, where do those actions land on the ethical spectrum?
In other words – when the money is used for good, does it really MATTER how the money was gained in the first place?
With each decision we make, we weigh the costs of things such as access to opportunities, what presents itself resource-wise as well as what we can afford to say ‘no’ to. And as the global economy becomes increasingly unstable, the decision to ‘stick to our ethics’ and ‘take the moral high road’ may be more of a privilege than a practical option. The harder it is to make a profit, the harder our ethical decisions become.
That said, personally, I DO think it matters.
You matter, which means how you contribute to the world, matters. Where you spend your time and energy matters. Who you give your skills and talent to matters. How you use your influence with colleagues and employers matters.
So how do we move forward? As we enter into a new year, it’s a great time to reflect on how you align your values across relationships, habits and the way you contribute to the world.
Think about where you work, why you work there, and how your skills are valued. And ultimately, how does it build your capacity to make a difference in the long run?
From there, gather information. I believe that taking the time to know how things are made or a company’s policies and practices, will lead to decisions more aligned with our own moral codes. Or at least with a little more knowledge, we give ourselves the tools to do so. That way we all get clearer on who we work for and why we do. And if you are someone who finds that things no longer feel aligned, there is no time better to make a change than the fresh start of a new year.
Enjoy the holidays!
Natalie
what the FRIDAY!
Let’s take this concept to the Macro with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. After years of criticism for his lack of philanthropic work, Bezos announced last month that he plans to give away the majority of his $100+ billion fortune.
It’s no secret that Amazon is highly controversial for the platforms’ effect on everything from consumer habits and retail expectations to product and packaging waste, and of course, edging out small local businesses. In addition, Bezos’ far-from-spectacular approach to giving hasn’t helped; he notoriously declined to sign The Giving Pledge, the 2010 brainchild of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet that commits signatories to giving away the majority of their wealth. And even now, some wonder if this announcement could be in response to Mackenzie Scott’s record-breaking approach to philanthropy. Since their 2019 divorce, Scott has donated an estimated $14.4 billion to over 1,500 organizations and continues to set records to this day.
But if we step back for a moment, and imagine a future where this decision becomes the beginning of a new legacy- one that catalyzes life saving medicines, technological advancements, climate positive business, and widespread access to education; will (and should) it clean the slate of all things Bezos?
Kwame Anthony Appiah, the NYT’s Ethicist Columnist, quotes philosopher Peter Singer and the effective-altruism movement, an ideology that suggests the highest paying option may be the most moral. He says:
“People with the requisite skills may set out to earn lots of money and give a great deal of it to humanitarian causes, helping the world more than they would have had they devoted themselves directly to doing good. You might, in this scenario, pay off those loans, help your family and then, as a richly remunerated partner, give a big chunk of your earnings to saving lives in the developing world or supporting causes that will advance climate security and justice. You’ll have passed up the low-paying job at the public-interest center, but your generous donations will fund three such positions. If your aim were simply to help as many people as you can, you might conclude, after a careful assessment, that going for the big paycheck was the right thing to do.”
There is no right or wrong answer here- it’s different for everyone. At the end of the day, I think the intention in the giving is what makes ALL the difference.
For Bezos - time will tell. As of now, it’s just an announcement.
something cool
If you still need to buy some presents and are inspired to make it ‘matter’; then check out some our favorite non profit partners’ gift guides below.
Pioneer Works, Brooklyn’s nonprofit art and science cultural center, Giving Guide features everything from books like Fungipedia and the Jazz of Physics to hard-to-find art prints and gifts for young, aspiring artists.
Bring purpose home at the Made by DWC shop that features amazing candles, accessories and even locally roasted coffee, all made in partnership with the women of Downtown Women’s Center. DWC is the only organization in LA focused exclusively on serving women experiencing homelessness. And who doesn’t need a Inglewoods, Big Sir or Joshua Tea candle in their life? (I have the whole set.)