The underlying universal reward assumed in this capitalistic society seems to be only money. A generous and thoughtful action should be rewarded by the results of the action itself and the delight engendered in making the world a better place. Transferring all reward to monetary standards totally corrupts the development of good character and beneficial social attitudes.

" . . .should be rewarded by the results of the action itself. . ."

Communism is based on things that 'should' instead of the way it really is.

sand, I believe money represents an exchange of 'work.' I'm paid for my work with money, and I'm giving it to you. The same as if I was willing to actually do work for you. It sounds alot more noble if it's presented that way.

Yes, I could volunteer to actually Do work for you, but were I to trim your hedges or clean your toilet, I wouldn't be being the most efficient for myself. Presumeably, in my employment, I've discovered the way I can get the most money with the most efficient (and/or rewarding) work that I can think of. I don't really want to clean toilets. But I don't mind giving a unit of 'work' to a person.

If there is work needing to be done for the good of the community then it is up to the community to see that it gets done and it is not in the class of a "good deed". It should be taxed for from all the members of a community to support it and it should be paid for as a proper job. But if some old lady needs help across the street or if a man is hurt and requires somebody to call for an ambulance or if a kid is crying because he is separated from his mother it should not be remedied in the concept that there is a fee at the end. It should be cared for out of human decency and the reward is that the old lady gets across the street OK or the man gets medical help or a scared kid has learned that there are decent caring people in the world.

O.k., let's make the profit aspect less blatant. How about the tips that are collected throughout the year go toward a huge community party at the end of the year. Maybe community awards could be presented to the good deeders.

I am in full accord with your motives but I sincerely doubt the effectiveness of diverting the immediate reward of a good deed accomplished to some sort of postponed acclamation. I don't personally don't give a damn about some trivial recognition of my compassion for my fellow humans or other animals. What motivates me is that any suffering of fellow creatures is felt strongly internally by me personally and it is the relief of that internal torture that gives me motive. Tipping me is vaguely insulting, but that may be a very personal view.

Interesting idea, but I would frame it as "community service" rather than "good deed"...in part because "good deed" implies that the person is not seeking any compensation, and as Sand wrote, it would be uncomfortable to attach rewards to "good Samaritan" type acts.

Still, in many cases, I think that this could work much better than raising taxes and hiring city employees to do the job. First, this permits jobs to be payed for even if only a minority of the community thinks that they are worth paying for. Second, this payment system is more sensitive to the ability to pay than the tax system is. Third, the jobs that need to be done may be too diverse and too dynamic to fit into a neat job description and employee oversight system. Finally, tax-funded projects are prone to corruption as both government officials use their spending authority for their own purposes and government employees try to avoid doing work.