What is good about slavery?

Answer 1

Slavery is bad for the slave, but can be profitable for the master. That is not a moral defense; slavery in indefensible. But it does explain why the institution was created. It would not have existed if it did not serve some person's purpose.

It is pretty hard to imagine slavery being regarded as a good thing. There have been times and circumstances, however, when it was a more attractive option than some alternative.

One such time was at when the Roman Empire was falling apart. The Roman Empire was about the size of the United States, but the fastest communication was by horse or ship, and this made the empire difficult to rule and difficult to defend. In time, wave after wave of invading armies ran through the Empire, looking for loot and destroying everything in their paths. Farms and villages were burned. People were killed for no reason.

Common people, most of whom were farmers, could not defend themselves, so they went to walled cities for shelter. When they got there, they often found that the people who lived in the cities would not let them in unless they could show they had brought enough food to supply their needs during a siege, which might mean a year's supply.

Things were pretty bad. They had no hope, and they had no alternatives. So they sold themselves into slavery. It was the best they could do.

Answer 2

There is nothing good about slavery. Slavery is a heinous violation of human rights and dignity, causing immense suffering, exploitation, and injustice to individuals who are forced into servitude against their will. It is a dark stain on human history that should never be justified or tolerated in any form.