Why Does Society Value Some Lives More Than Others?
It is a harrowing reality to acknowledge that society often values some human lives more than others. This value is not arbitrarily assigned but is deeply intertwined with economic, social, and historical factors. This article explores how economic and societal factors contribute to the unequal valuation of lives, using specific historical and contemporary examples.
The Epoch of Subhumanity
The concept of devaluing certain lives based on greed and desire is not a new phenomenon; it has been utilized throughout history. Europeans declared Native American tribes subhuman when invading America, while Romans deemed the barbarians on the fringes of their empire unworthy. Similarly, the Nazi regime systematically declared Jews, Gypsies, disabled individuals, and neurodivergent people subhuman to achieve their ideological and genetic goals. Even today, the existence of fetal stem cell research, tissue transplants, and vaccines has led to the devaluation of unborn life. This is not due to a shift in the definition or importance of human life, but because these individuals hold something that society wants to take.
Economic Value and the Marketplace of Human Life
When discussing the valuation of human life, one often turns to economic value as a metric. The economic value of a human life can be seen as the economic contribution an individual makes to society. This can be measured through wages, which serve as a barometer for an individual's economic value.
For example, consider the disparity in wages between a professional basketball player and a Walmart cashier. The basketball player engages in an activity that is highly specialized and rare, while the cashier performs a more common job that requires less specialized skills. This imbalance in wages reflects how society economically values these different roles. The command and control over supply and demand determine the wage, not the greed of CEOs as some may believe. Individuals set their own wages based on their skills, education, and the demand for their particular attributes in the job market.
The Mechanism of Wages and Value
The valuation of human life in terms of economic contribution is a complex but widely accepted metric. Wages for labor and services essentially represent a rental of oneself for a fixed period, usually eight hours a day. If we extend this concept, it can be argued that one's economic value is akin to selling a portion of one's life. Removing the aspect of sleep, one might be selling approximately half of their prime adult life. Consequently, the wage one receives would reflect that portion of life being sold.
It is essential to acknowledge that while wages are a reasonable metric for economic value, there are limitations. Factors such as unpaid volunteer work and the inherent value of subjective experiences are not fully captured by this metric. However, for the majority, wages offer a significant indication of the economic value placed on their lives by society.
Conclusion
The valuation of human life is a multifaceted and often controversial topic. The economic value of an individual’s life is significantly influenced by supply and demand dynamics, not arbitrarily assigned. Understanding these factors helps shed light on why some lives are deemed more valuable than others. It is crucial to recognize and address the underlying issues that perpetuate these inequalities, striving for a more equitable and just society where all lives are valued equally.