Midterm Essay- Who has the status of being Morally Superior?
By: Monica Patel |English 281| 10/11/16
Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Android Dream of Electric Sheep is about a world that is ruled by cyborgs that are almost duplicates to humanity. In the novel, character’s wealth, and morals are defined by owning an animal, specifically farm animals who hold the highest rank. In today’s society, being extremely wealthy means that an individual has an enormous platform that offers endless opportunities to do well in the world. So, that raises the question: Is wealth the proof of an individual being morally superior?
We can understand the meaning of wealth better, by reading Philip K. Dick Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. So, let’s start from the beginning, in the second chapter of the novel, there is a passage that reads “First, strangely, the owls had died…Medieval plagues had manifested themselves in a similar way, in the form of many dead rats” (Dick 16). It is revealed to the reader that after the World War Terminus, the animals have become endangered, so it’s considered “respectable” for someone to own an animal.
Now, in the beginning of the novel the main character Rick is considered “inferior” because he owns an electric sheep (a fake animal, which is made out of wires). “After an interval Barbour said, ‘you poor guy. Has it always been this way?’ (Dick 11) After Rick explains to his neighbor how his sheep is a machine, his neighbor feels sorry for him. Later in the story Rick’s ultimate goal is to make enough money to get a real animal. Some readers may ask themselves; why does an animal prove our wealth? The answer is simple: because animals are extinct, you are considered morally righteous for helping a species who are unable to care for themselves. In addition, due to the fact that animals are extinct, large organizations increase the prices on animals. Individuals with well-paying jobs are able to afford one.
Anyone can argue that this topic can relate in reality today. In the article “Are Rich people more Ethical?” By Neil Wagner, the article describes experiments done by the University of California, Berkley, where individuals with upper class backgrounds were less moral when it came to ethical situations. An example would be: one of the experiments where the volunteers were shown a jar of candy. They were told that the candy was for the children who are ill in the hospitals, and that the volunteers were more than welcome to take more than one piece of candy. Those who came from an upper class backgrounds took more than two pieces of candy, versus those with lower class backgrounds who either took one piece, or no pieces of candy. Another example, stated in the article was; “The fifth experiment placed the volunteers in the role of job interviewer of candidates seeking long-term employment…. Upper-class volunteers were much less likely to inform the candidate that the job was going to be a much shorter one than anticipated.” (theatlantic) This article does give an insight on what kind of character an individual who is financially successful, possess. In another article titled “Are the wealthy less ethical?” By Adriene Hill, where she has an interview with Paul Piff who is a Ph.D candidate at the psychology department at Berkeley. The whole gist of the interview is: yes in a way the rich are less ethical, because of greed. According to the interview, the upper class individuals thought they needed to put themselves first, before anyone else in the world.
This reasoning can be true for Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Did Rick let his greed get in the way of doing what is right? Let me explain; Rick needed to earn more money to purchase a decent animal, to achieve this goal his job was to kill as many androids as possible. The only problem was, androids in this novel were almost identical to humans, to the point that androids didn’t even know if they themselves were human or not. In the novel technology, and science is so advanced that the scientist was able to insert “fake memories” in an androids mind. This will completely diminish the line of differentiating between humans, and robot. “He had never thought of it before, had never felt any empathy on his own part toward the androids he killed” (Dick 141). This is when Rick had to kill the android Luft, who was an opera singer. After he heard her perform, he questioned if this was the right thing to do. What makes Luft different from a female entertainer? This is the first part of the book where Rick’s greed didn’t get in the way of his choices, where he questioned the lack of principles in his job.
In “Reading books and watching films makes you kinder in real life” by Lea Surugue the article explains how fiction helps individual better understand empathy. “Some studies have shown that fiction can even make you feel empathy for people who live very different lives than you” (Surgugue) so could fiction be the solution for the wealthy to be more moral? So that they could use that power for people who actually understand what it means to have values that aren’t selfish. The same question arises from the article Reading literary fiction improves empathy, study finds by Liz Bury. “Testing people’s ability to read faces is a bit odd. The thing about novels is that they give you a view of an inner world that’s not on show. Often what you learn from novels is to be a bit baffled … a novel tells you not to judge,” Davies said.” (Liz Bury) This is similar to the Voit Kampff test, in the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, with empathy anyone can fake facial expressions, or even verbal responses, and we never know what’s going on in the mind of that person.
Based on the article this raises the next question; Are people who are considered poor whether it’s in reality or in the novel more morally righteous? According to the article “5 Ways the Poor Are More Ethical than the Rich”, by Paul Buchheit, Yes. Reasons being the poor are more generous, they are most grateful, and giving, and the rich focus more on themselves. “Research has shown that low-income Americans spend a much higher percentage of their income on charitable giving. Results from three studies average out to 4.5% from low-income people, 2.7% from those with high incomes. With respect to helping people in need, the rich give even less.” (alternet) This article can also be applied in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. For example John Isidore another character from the novel, who does not own an animal but he is truly kind and tries to help out anyone he meets, he is the only character in the novel who truly understands the concept of Mercer (the only religion that is followed). Based on the sole fact that he doesn’t own an animal make him less human than Rick or Iran? Another Article titled: “Are poor people more moral than the rich?” States “Paul Piff, a doctoral student of psychology at UC Berkeley – which was founded in 1868 – stated: “The increased unethical tendencies of upper class individuals are driven, in part, by their more favorable attitudes toward greed. “The research has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Mr.Piff claimed the findings are helping to shed light on the inequality that is serving to shape selfishness and other conducts relating to ethics.” (bps.org.uk) Does this article, along with the other articles included in the essay, answer the question: If the rich are morally righteous?
The argument in defense of the wealthy is; if anyone wants to succeed in life, then you have to put yourself first in order to be successful. Isn’t this a humane way of thinking, one of the basic principles of success? If so, why the rich should be looked down upon on their mindset if they just want to be the best and ensure survival. In a way, we are all doing the same, making sure that “I” or “you” succeed in life. “Greed is good, because it is the most important incentive for people to work hard, get a good education, start a business, or invest in a company. This makes people productive and contributing members of society. And in return, people are paid a salary, become more educated, and (hopefully) build wealth so that they can in return live a prosperous, more comfortable, and full life.” This quote is from another article titled “Greed is Good and Bad. This passage from the article is proof that greed shouldn’t be considered unethical, that the rich aren’t unprincipled, they are just hard working. Also one question that may arise, do the middle or lower class take responsibility on some of the problems society faces (such as the increase of poverty in certain areas of the world)? No, only because not everyone, especially those who have families to take care, loans to pay off can even afford to donate some money. Then it can be debated if the responsibility lies on the wealthy. Isn’t the ability to help others in need what makes us human? After all it is emphasized in the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
In the article “Americans see growing gap between rich and poor” by Bruce Drake, provides charts to demonstrate the difference in perception of rich people vs. the poor. The first chart demonstrates how the wealthy are perceived. The article gave a clear description of the results of the first table, “More than half (55%) saw the rich as more likely to be greedy compared with 9% who said less likely, and 36% who took neither side.” (pewresearch) This type of research does show that the rich does hold that reputation of being greedy. There is a reason for this, possibly because it is true. The second chart described how the poor were perceived. Now there was a description for the second table in the article, “Democrats said poor people work but do not earn enough money. But only about half (53%) of moderate and liberal Republicans agreed. Conservative Republicans were evenly divided: 43% said the poor do in fact work but cannot earn enough while 40% said most poor people do not work.” (pewresearch) Does the poor hold responsibility to why they do not earn enough? Not entirely, for example some individuals could not afford an education, or there are youths who need to work instead of learn in order to put food on the table. This last chart demonstrates that there is an overall difference between the rich and the poor. There is not only an income gap between the two classes, but in addition there is a gap between ethics. The poor realistically have less power, they cannot help change the imperative issues that face society today. Issues such as; finding cures for rare diseases, or contributing in advanced technology. Only the wealthy, have not only the money, but time to help solve majority of world’s problems.
In my opinion I feel like because the wealthy have so many responsibilities, and standards that must be met, of course they should be morally righteous. But in reality that’s not always the case. Being wealthy or poor does not determine one’s moral superiority. The definition of moral is: concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character. I believe that we all have this concern, but we do express it in different ways. There is not one person on this earth who doesn’t understand the fundamental basics of what is right, and what is wrong. It’s the values, and beliefs that makes that person morally righteous, not the status. I personally found it humorous in Philip K. Dicks novel how embarrassing it was to not own an authentic animal. It shouldn’t be embarrassing, because just like in the real world, not everyone can afford those necessities that are sometimes impossible to achieve.
Sources:
“America’s Worst Charities.” America’s Worst Charities. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2016. <http://www.tampabay.com/americas-worst-charities/>.
“Are Poor People More Moral than the Rich?” BPS. The British Psychological Society, 3 Jan. 2012. Web. 02 Oct. 2016. <http://www.bps.org.uk/news/are-poor-people-more-moral-rich>.
Bury, Liz. “Reading Literary Fiction Improves Empathy, Study Finds.” Web log post. Hypothes. The Guardian, 8 Oct. 2013. Web. <https://via.hypothes.is/https:/www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2013/oct/08/literary-fiction-improves-empathy-study#annotations:qfVLslp1Eead4qeiMoDrfg>.
Drake, Bruce. “Americans See Growing Gap between Rich and Poor.” Pew Research Center RSS. N.p., 05 Dec. 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2016. <http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/12/05/americans-see-growing-gap-between-rich-and-poor/>.
Humanity, Phil For. “Greed Is Good and Bad.” Phil for Humanity. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2016. <http://www.philforhumanity.com/Greed_is_Good_and_Bad.html>.
Images, PATRICK LIN/AFP/Getty. “Are the Wealthy Less Ethical?” Are the Wealthy Less Ethical? Market Place, 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 02 Oct. 2016.
L Buchheit / AlterNet, Paul. “5 Ways the Poor Are More Ethical Than the Rich.” Alternet. N.p., 18 May 2014. Web. 02 Oct. 2016. <http://www.alternet.org/economy/5-ways-poor-are-more-ethical-rich>.
Stanger, Melissa. “The 50 Richest People on Earth.” Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 26 Jan. 2016. Web. 02 Oct. 2016. <http://www.businessinsider.com/50-richest-people-on-earth-2016-1>.
Surugue, Léa. “Reading Books and Watching Films Makes You Kinder in Real Life.” Web log post. Hypothes. International Business Times, 19 July 2016. Web. <https://via.hypothes.is/http:/www.ibtimes.co.uk/reading-books-watching-films-makes-you-kinder-real-life-1571434#annotations:_MOsQlpyEeaiesf9ed4wVw>.