Human Greed is Mostly Taught, Not Innate

[Zer0/∞]

As soon as people have enough resources to have a comfortable home, enough food, and some extra for entertainment and basic leisure people start working less. If greed was innate to us then there would be no NEETs as they would be grinding for more copes instead of being content with rotting on the internet.

 

[Zer0/∞]

And if greed was biological then why do we feel envy and lash out when some have far more than others

 

[Antorian]

I agree.

Whenever he discusses these or the Seven Deadly Sins in his various works, C. S. Lewis does what he is wont to do, which is to say give a very insightful analysis. First he notes that many acts that would appear to be Greed on the surface are actually Pride, as there is a certain point in the Fiction 500 past which the only meaningful difference further increasing your wealth will make is being able to say that you have more money than the next guy.

Therefore I think those who are constantly seeking more money have not only a problem with greed, but also embody the sin of pride.

 

[Roastie Crusher]

Animals feel envy. It's within out nature to compete against people within our in group. Hence, the reason why we must invent identities and morality.

I feel like nature doesn't demand we live in groups or expand indefinitely. Empathy is the worst feeling of all since it's weaponized by mobs, Chads, and tyrants.

 

[Maikowski]

nothing is "taught" we are, including our behavior, a product of our genetics

 

[Roastie Crusher]

Therefore I think those who are constantly seeking more money have not only a problem with greed, but also embody the sin of pride.

The greedy push forward technology. The rest of us are prisoners. It's interesting that capitalists have so much more energy than commies who just want to loot and redistribute. God made us greedy. And many of the Greedy paid their tithe to their jewish master.

 

[Castaway]

It's all genetic. Some people naturally have a slave mentality and can get by with a mediocre life as long as they can satisfy their basic needs, while others have a master mentality and are never satisfied with what they have and always have the need for more. This is how hierarchies formed in the first place.

 

[glutty]

Greed is brought upon standards of comparison, people will start to feel greed once they accumulate more wealth than the people around them. If everyone was at the same level and nothing to compare with people wouldn't feel greed because everyone would be getting the same amount each time.

 

[Zer0/∞]

Greed is brought upon standards of comparison, people will start to feel greed once they accumulate more wealth than the people around them. If everyone was at the same level and nothing to compare with people wouldn't feel greed because everyone would be getting the same amount each time.

Good point, I haven’t thought of it that and is probably why cities have so much more theft

 

[glutty]

Good point, I haven’t thought of it that and is probably why cities have so much more theft

Especially among much poorer areas, which is why some rich people prefer not to wear expensive watches and such. So as to not attract attention from people who want to mug.

 

[Zer0/∞]

It's all genetic. Some people naturally have a slave mentality and can get by with a mediocre life as long as they can satisfy their basic needs, while others have a master mentality and are never satisfied with what they have and always have the need for more. This is how hierarchies formed in the first place.

I think most people have the slave mentality you describe: those with the master mentality are an aberration.

 

[DarkStar]

I think it's a mix of environmental & genetic factors overall, both to some degree hinging on each other

As another user stated above, some people have this innate desire to go above & beyond, whereas many are content provided that they have their basic needs met. This is why Porsche or Royals Royce(forget who) say that they don't advertise because their target audience isn't sitting around watching TV all day.