Graduates, Take Heed: Ignore the High-Minded Advice. Make Some Money. It’s your Moral Obligation

With its new influx of “philanthropreneurs”  – philanthropists whose preferred vehicle is for-profit enterprise – the field of philanthropy is newly investigating the capacity of capitalism, rather than altruism, to render a positive change. In a different light, contemporary novelist and journalist Daniel Akst considers the same topic, addressing his short essay to graduating college students. In it he compares two graduates who want to good in the world – “Dan”, who pursues journalism hoping to write novels, and “Alex,” who works in the securities industry. Fast-forwarding twenty-five years, we find Alex the philanthropist and Dan the novelist. Who has made the world a better place? Who has made a difference? Akst doesn’t hesitate: Alex. Is he right? If one would do good, might it be an “outright moral obligation” to make money? Why or why not?

Thought provoking stuff from “Giving well, readings for thoughtful philanthropists” by Amy A. Kass More here