While reading this excerpt, I was able to draw many conclusions to the monopolies that exist in the United States today, and the residual effects they can have on those who are seduced by them. From the learned men’s perspective, the author writes,”If virtue is used to lead the people, they will return to honesty, but if they are enticed with gain, they will become vulgar.” The increasing wealth gap is one of the many residual effects of monopolies in the United States today. Obsession with money and power often result in the lack of benevolence and sense of duty to help others, things that I would argue are very present in the United States today.
The passage discusses the dangers of focusing on military and use of force as opposed to virtue and benevolence. The focus on the salt and iron monopolies during the Han Dynasty sparked debate among individuals at the time. The learned man argues that those involved in these monopolies became more selfish at the expense of others, while the minister argues from a free market perspective as he points out the “need” of the goods acquired from the monopolies. I find this very interesting as ministers are ideally viewed as virtuous people, yet the passage does not perceive them this way. I think this is a statement from the author, acknowledging that a true sense of benevolence and virtue lies within the education of each individual, and that it is within their power to check the political and religious systems of their country. A true sense of duty is not found in the means of profit, but rather the individual themselves and how they choose to treat and interact with others.