David Hilfiker

David Hilfiker asserts in the following viewpoint that capitalism, the “new religion” of American society, promotes values that are morally questionable. He argues that capitalism celebrates a philosophy of self-interest, undermines the dignity of work, and uses money as the measuring stick for everything—including people. Hilfiker is a physician who works with the inner-city poor.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In Hilfiker’s view, what five assumptions of capitalism have shaped American assumptions about life?
2. How has the capitalist focus on profit impacted society’s values, in the author’s opinion?
3. According to Hilfiker, how is the free-market system unjust"

For fifteen years, I’ve worked as a physician with the inner-city poor as part of a small Christian community. Our work is grounded in the...