Coffee with Mr. Keynes, Final

Mr. Keynes and I sat down in a nearby Cafe. I was looking forward to finding out how much economic growth he deemed to be enough for society. "Every government is obsessed about growth, why do you think that is?" He asked. "Errr... so the country can grow richer?" I replied. He then asked "Why do we want to grow rich?" in which I replied "So we could all have a good life!"

"And what is a good life?" Asked Mr. Keynes. I started thinking about a myriad of things a person could desire and before I could reply, Mr Keynes carried on, "People buy fast cars, beautiful houses, go on expensive holidays, it all boils down to beautiful things isn't it? The sleek body of a fast car, the architecture of a nice house and the beautiful things one sees on holiday. People essentially seek to experience Aesthetic Emotions."

"Another emotion people seek to have is to be In Love. I believe that one doesn't require any explanation." Smile Mr. Keynes. "We have now established that people seek to experience Aesthetic Emotions and being In Love, but is wealth the path to ascertain these two ultimate goods?" asked Mr. Keynes. "As they say, money can't buy happiness!" I replied. "Yes, that's correct but wealth is necessary at the basic level. One could hardly be thinking about aesthetics or love when one is hungry or hasn't got a roof over their heads. Wealth can buy beautiful things but it may not necessarily convey Aesthetic Emotions and in many cases it would make one more appealing to a potential lover. However, wealth is not necessary to attain these two ultimate goods." elucidated Mr Keynes further.

"Since money is necessary in a basic level to even allow us to start thinking of aesthetics and love, it has infiltrated our psyche as a 'Love of Money'. Money is a means to an end but our Love of Money has made Money into an end instead!" explained Mr. Keynes. "This 'Love of Money' is morally inefficient because it is actually not what people seek in life. 'Love of Money' also leads to hoarding which is economically inefficient as it impedes the spending of money which then hinders income and wealth distribution." Mr Keynes carried on.

"But, that still doesn't answer how much economic growth is enough!" Interjected I. "Ethically, the more appropriate question is how do we get more people to achieve the two ultimate goods in life." said Mr. Keynes. "That is to say how we are going to ensure economic growth goes to the poorer in society so they are able to achieve these ultimate goods."

At this point, I looked at my watch. I was running late for my lunch appointment. I left Mr. Keynes with a cordial goodbye. The last sight of him was him reading the business section of the Herald while shaking his head.

I do hope I bump into him again.