Are People Naturally Greedy?

[Jaylock]

When the prospect of getting something for nothing comes up, most people naturally tend to jump at the idea. If you can get your hands on more of something desirable than another person, you will naturally go for it.

Humans tend to lean toward greedy because of one simple fact. They can.

Do you think you are naturally greedy? If given the opportunity, would you try to take more money, food, gold, diamonds, whatever if you had the chance? If you had the chance to make more money at the expense of another if you owned and ran a business, would your natural tendency not be to try to make it?

[Rec]

It makes evolutionary sense to be greedy. Whether it makes sense to be greedy at the expensive of other people is an entirely different thing, and I think the degree to which you're benefiting/others aren't matters.

[Zhangfei]

Yes, but people are also natural generous too. It always depends on circumstance. I don't think there's a blanket "human nature."

[larrakeyah]

I do, i think being greedy is part of being human, that's why capitalism succeeded where communism failed, it's the economic system closer to the human nature.

[Raidenx]

It's less greed but more human interest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A

---------- Post added 2012-12-04 at 10:38 PM ----------

It's less greed but more human interest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A

[Jaylock]

I do, i think being greedy is part of being human, that's why capitalism succeeded where communism failed, it's the economic system closer to the human nature.

Capitalism is the most beneficial form of economic system for society as a whole. Sure there will be people in the dregs on the streets, but look at how all those European countries have fared the last 200 years. There are bums everywhere over there as a result of the poor living conditions brought on by socialism and communism (anyone been to Russia recently?). Socialism and Communism has never been a benefit to societies, it has just been the gluttonous support of the people in govt and nothing else.

[Tuvok]

As the years continue to plod on by, I have come to realise that after I have secured a few essential comforts (such as the ability to play computer games that I like), the acquisition of wealth or possessions does not appeal to me all that much. I find much greater joy in the acquisition of knowledge and experience, the cultivation of strong relationships with good people, and the thrill of a challenge than merely getting money or flashy items.

[larrakeyah]

It's less greed but more human interest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A

---------- Post added 2012-12-04 at 10:38 PM ----------

It's less greed but more human interest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A

But people look after their own interest (for me that's being greedy, but without negative connotations) and when doing so they actually benefit society as a whole.

[Deleted]

When you look at the world it seems to be.
Then again I think its totally western problem that manifested itself because of this capitalist shithole we have created.
It seems that more you earn the more greedy you become. Thats atleast what Ive seen in people close to me. (Not saying everyone, dont jump one me internets).

When it comes to me. Well I don't know really. I get paid a normal wage, I haven't had a chance to exploit anyone that way.
But atleast I don't think I would exploit anyone if there was a way to get more money because of it.

[Zhangfei]

Capitalism is the most beneficial form of economic system for society as a whole. Sure there will be people in the dregs on the streets, but look at how all those European countries have fared the last 200 years. There are bums everywhere over there as a result of the poor living conditions brought on by socialism and communism (anyone been to Russia recently?). Socialism and Communism has never been a benefit to societies, it has just been the gluttonous support of the people in govt and nothing else.

Can't tell if parody or real?

[zorkuus]

Capitalism is the most beneficial form of economic system for society as a whole. Sure there will be people in the dregs on the streets, but look at how all those European countries have fared the last 200 years. There are bums everywhere over there as a result of the poor living conditions brought on by socialism and communism (anyone been to Russia recently?). Socialism and Communism has never been a benefit to societies, it has just been the gluttonous support of the people in govt and nothing else.

Can't tell if stupid or trolling.

[Jaylock]

Can't tell if stupid or trolling.

Not stupid or trolling. Why post just to be a jerk? If you deny that socialist / communist countries haven't done more harm than good, then you are in SERIOUS denial. Just read some history books.

[Zhangfei]

Not stupid or trolling. Why post just to be a jerk? If you deny that socialist / communist countries haven't done more harm than good, then you are in SERIOUS denial. Just read some history books.

Most countries in Europe have better social safety nets than America so there's literally millions less homeless.

[larrakeyah]

Not stupid or trolling. Why post just to be a jerk? If you deny that socialist / communist countries haven't done more harm than good, then you are in SERIOUS denial. Just read some history books.

Spot on mate. Don't argue with them, they are just leftists: armchair economists with an art degree. Oh and they are versed in economic matters because they read the guardian. No blue collar work or economic studies under their arm.

Infracted: Please do not insult or generalize other users.

[Daelak]

Capitalism is the most beneficial form of economic system for society as a whole. Sure there will be people in the dregs on the streets, but look at how all those European countries have fared the last 200 years. There are bums everywhere over there as a result of the poor living conditions brought on by socialism and communism (anyone been to Russia recently?). Socialism and Communism has never been a benefit to societies, it has just been the gluttonous support of the people in govt and nothing else.

Greed, is not innate in humans, however we are receivers of our environments, and for millions of years our ancestors have lived under the pressure of scarcity. Scarcity, it seems, is the most oppressive and behavioral-changing nature puts on a species.

Thankfully we are at a precipice in time and progression that our species will actually have a chance to overcome one of nature's largest hurdles, (other than meteor strikes, supernovas, gamma ray bursts).

We have the technology and the scientific method that we can use as tools to forever rid ourselves of the price mechanism, a tool, while beneficial, is rather outdated.

We can systematically identify what areas need what within milliseconds. We are reaching a singularity of information, entertainment, infrastructure, and culture.

Once a global audit is performed and we have sensors and monitors around the world to calculate our global carrying capacity and current demand, we will find that there will be overwhelming abundance, more-so than what the economic practices of the 19th and 20th centuries.

[zorkuus]

Not stupid or trolling. Why post just to be a jerk? If you deny that socialist / communist countries haven't done more harm than good, then you are in SERIOUS denial. Just read some history books.

First of all most european countries have capitalism, they're not exlusively socialist. Second of all U.S. has socialism, it's not exclusively capitalistic. Third of all socialism =/= communism. Fourth of all, most european countries don't have poor living conditions and do not have bums everywhere (infact the percentage of homeless people is far greater in the U.S.). And lastly, you need to get out of your bubble from time to time.

[Revox]

I think so. But I also think that a lot of people are able to fight off the greed.

[Zhangfei]

Spot on mate. Don't argue with them, they are just leftists: armchair economists with an art degree. Oh and they are versed in economic matters because they read the guardian. No blue collar work or economic studies under their arm.

Oh damn, this lefty has worked in a chip shop, a Halloween store and on building sites. Also pretty much come from the working classes, but what the hell would the labourers know about the left, eh?

/end silly rightist claptrap.

[Daelak]

Spot on mate. Don't argue with them, they are just leftists: armchair economists with an art degree. Oh and they are versed in economic matters because they read the guardian. No blue collar work or economic studies under their arm.

Actually, first world countries like Australia, Europe, US and Canada, all are welfare states with large mixed economies. Actually, countries with less mixture of public and private sector production are 3rd world and have considerably less life spans and economic prosperity.

[larrakeyah]

First of all most european countries have capitalism, they're not exlusively socialist. Second of all U.S. has socialism, it's not exclusively capitalistic. Third of all socialism =/= communism. Fourth of all, most european countries don't have poor living conditions and do not have bums everywhere (infact the percentage of homeless people is far greater in the U.S.). And lastly, you need to get out of your bubble from time to time.

Whoa whoa stop right there cs! No country in Europe is socialist! Socialism failed, and the leftists had to come with the term "social democracy" to appeal to the masses and to do so they had to abandon their marxist principles. No country in Europe is marxist, the berlin wall fell, you lost. Production in the whole 1st world is entirely a capitalist system.

---------- Post added 2012-12-05 at 10:02 AM ----------

Actually, first world countries like Australia, Europe, US and Canada, all are welfare states with large mixed economies. Actually, countries with less mixture of public and private sector production are 3rd world and have considerably less life spans and economic prosperity.

A welfare state is a capitalist state that feeds the lazy. In a "welfare" state factors of production are owned by free citizens, not by a mythical "proletariat", socialism 0 capitalism 1.