Greed is a concept that has come under a lot of issues and debate over the period of time. People see this word ominously because it is usually correlated to a negative meaning and characteristic. Greed is a part of Christianity’s seven deadly sins. It symbolizes the excessive desire to attain wealth, power or possession that one needs or deserves. The concept of greed is being taught to children at a very young age in order to avoid having this trait when the child becomes an adult.
A lot of people believe that greed is bad, to the point of being evil (Tickle).There are many aspects of greed and much that we can learn about it. Gluttony is a kind of greed. This pertains to excessive indulgence on food or drink, with the goal to satisfy beyond what is needed and reasonable.
For example, one has eaten a lot already, but when he or she gets the chance to eat again regardless if he or she is still full, then this person will still eat because the food looks so indulging and palatable. On the other hand, lust is another type of greed. This is exemplified by the excessive greed and indulgence in sex.Lust for example can lead to sexual or sociological compulsions or wrongdoings such as sexual addiction, adultery, bestiality, rape, and incest. And as such, with these effects that greed can cause a person, it may be said that greed may also be the root and sum of all evil (Cline).
In our world today, greed is one of factors that influence our society, politics, business and economy, and even the simplest and smallest organizations. Politicians are usually the ones that are most susceptible to greed.They have power, and this power gives them the advantage to manipulate and acquire things for their personal gain. Corruption is one example of greed that has been prevalent on most governments all over the world. Greed has also led to the destruction of our environment.
People abuse the privilege to use natural resources for consumption and yet never thought of the consequences or its effect to the future generation. For instance, huge corporations engage in illegal logging or fishing activities that can immediately destroy every single natural resource found in forests or seas.The people behind these corporations do not care in whatever consequences their actions might cause the environment, because their only goal it to accumulate profits for their business. These concrete examples explain the definition of Greed as a selfish desire or pursuit to acquire more money, power, wealth, food and other material possessions, especially when the pursuance of such ultimately denies other people the chances to get their own rightful share (“Greed: A Fear of Failure, A Fear of Need”).On the other hand, greed can also be considered as good or something positive.
According to the proponents of laissez-faire capitalism, greed is not an entirely negative trait. Instead, greed should be embraced because it serves as a profound benevolent force within the human affairs, and as such is a needed factor for the capitalist system. Businessmen may think that greed can be a good source of drive, for them to be competitive in a market of their chosen field.To improve their products, to arouse healthy competition in the market, and their desire to be the first and be known for their products or services will drive them to give only the best. Hence, other people may benefit from this, since they will have more options and choices as to what can better cater to their own personal needs and satisfaction. In a race for example, greed plays a vital role for players to have the desire to win.
Without greed in the core of any game, you cannot call it a competition at all.For the goal of a player is to win or finish the race and be declared as a champion. Greed can be positive in this aspect since this will motivate players to excel and be winners in the end. Greed can only become negative, if a person does extreme measures, let us say, harm his opponent in order to win or to get whatever it is that he will gain if he wins (Tickle). These both aspects of greed presented will give people their own choice to either commit or avoid greed.
To be greedy or not, requires a great wisdom not only from our mind but from our heart as well.
