Do you think people are born greedy?
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
June 27, 2011 11:29pm CST
Do you think all of us are born greedy?
Even if you look at toddlers playing, you will notice that they are not contented playing with what they have.
If they see a toy that their friends have, they will snatch it away, and in the end, both of them will end up crying.
I think it is the same with adults.
The difference is that we know we cannot just take away what belongs to others, but in our heart, we envy others for whatever they have.
It does not matter that we have more shoes, more handbags, or richer than others.
As long as we see something we like, and that item belongs to others, our greed will make us long for the item.
Where do you think our greed comes from?
Do you think that greed is part of our imperfect nature, and that we are born with it?
10 responses
@funnysis (2619)
• United States
28 Jun 11
It is possible that we are born with a certain amount of greed,but I think we learn the biggest part of greed from seeing and hearing about it so much.I am not really a greedy person I am happy and content with what I have and can afford.I am sure there was a time in my life when I was greedy.I hope that you have a great day.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Jun 11
Hi Funnysis, I think most of us think of greed in the wrong way.
If we can think of using a bad character trait in a good way, we can achieve more results in life.
Even when we talk about laziness, we think only of the bad side.
Laziness can be used in a good way too.
When people are out suntanning themselves for hours and hours, they are not doing anything at all.
That is plain laziness, but it is a good way to rest and relax, and let our minds wander.
@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
28 Jun 11
I don't think people are really born to be anything, we are born innocent and naive- we just grow to be whatever we are, based on our surroundings and what other people teach us. It is a bad trait, being envious and not contented, I just hope people would be content of what they have and be happy about it.
It is a bad trait, being envious and not contented, I just hope people would be content of what they have and be happy about it.@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
29 Jun 11
Yes, the way we live our life is our own choice.Environment has a big factor in making who we want to be.With too much temptation around us it is really hard to decide but sad to say most of us prefers to choose the wrong side because to many, it has an advantage.Good day my friend.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
29 Jun 11
I do agree with you stanley! I think greed is part of the human emotions and emotions are not naturally innate but is basically triggered. The surrounding environment may have just propelled the greed emotions. If greed is born with any human then I think nobody can be living right now. I would like to emphasize that greed is triggered and not there naturally in the first place.
@anex08 (868)
• Philippines
28 Jun 11
Nope, people have the ability to change while they grow up it is just a matter of learning and training. Child were usually like to have what they don't have and that'ts normal. It is the adults duty to teach and train the child with good attitude.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Jun 11
Hi Anex, that is true.
Even if we are born greedy, that does not mean we cannot control our greed or change our character.
If we do not make an effort to change ourselves for the better, we are going to stay miserable all our lives.
The funny thing is that nearly all of us are greedy for the wrong thing.
Instead of greedy for more junk food, we can use the greed to eat healthy.
Instead of greedy for more material goods, we can use the greed to save more money in the bank.
I think most of us do not know how to use greed in the right way, and that is the problem!
@BlueGoblin (1829)
• United States
28 Jun 11
I think people are born with certain traits and we lose certain traits by being taught or experiencing actions by others. I think babies learn a lot by watching the world around them. It is hard to say what we are born with and what we learn for ourselves at a young age.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Jun 11
Hi BlueGoblin, I think all of us have certain degree of greed in our nature.
Just that we always use it in the bad way.
Instead of working hard in school to be the top student, we let greed and laziness control us.
We want to score highest, yet we do not want to work hard.
In the workplace, we have the same attitude.
We are envious of those who get more salary and bonuses than us, yet we do not want to put in the same effort.
I think that is greed in the wrong place.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Jun 11
Toddlers are like that. Anything that is new to their eye, they would like to have it. They are selfish. But most of them will outgrow it, specially if the parents have explained to them when they were already growing up that it is bad to be selfish or greedy.
I think, we are born to have a bit of greed in us. But as we grow and come to know that it is a sin to be one, we try to curb it. However, there are adults, who are enticed to being greedy, specially if they are in an environment where there is so much display of wealth and competition.
Some, in their desire to compete would then be greedy, thereby doing things illegal just to fill up this greed. Sad, but this is true to some people.
@sanjay91422 (2725)
• India
28 Jun 11
It the selfish gene that do all these things. Every person have a different gene and it is the selfish gene which make us all these greedy things. It is also heredity which will decide your personality and nature. So I think that answer to your question is yes.
People are born greedy and they can not do anything about it. It is the human nature.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Jun 11
Hi Sanjay, I think most of us do not know how to control ourselves or find a way to turn bad habits into good.
If we find that we are selfish, I think we can make use of it in a good way.
For example, we can start to think of ourselves, and then extend the thoughts to others.
If we know that we are greedy, then we can use it to achieve goals.
Most students are greedy for material goods, but they are not greedy for better results in examination.
Most working people are greedy for more money but they are not greedy to work harder and smarter in the company.
I think the commercial world is encouraging us to be greedy and yet lazy.
That is why so much problems exist in the world.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
28 Jun 11
Hi Sanjay, Maslow's Law is a very insightful concept.
But in reality, some people never go beyond the greed for food, shelter and clothing.
Some people are forever on the move into a bigger and bigger house.
They never seem to think that one house is enough for them.
They want to have more and more houses and bigger and bigger houses.
Some people are naturally religious, and they yearn for contentment in life.
I agree with you that different greed appears at different times in our lives.
It seems that not many of us learn to use our greed in better ways.
I think if more people are greedy for opportunities to help others, and to change the world for the better, we would all live happier than now.
@dodo19 (47317)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
28 Jun 11
It's certainly difficult to tell. I do think that it is possible that some do have some greed implanted within them when they are born. However, I do think that, for the most part, greed is something that develops as the individual grows older. It is not necessarily something that we are born with.
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
28 Jun 11
Yes, we definitely are born with sinful tendencies, like greed, selfishness and pride. We inherit them. That's why we have to work hard to develop the positive qualities.
@sriroshan (2585)
• India
28 Jun 11
People are not born greedy but the situation makes them to become or move in that direction and once they are into it then they goes deep into it
@investor211 (474)
• Mexico
28 Jun 11
i think is true, some of us have born with certain level of greed, and we feed this felling with our experiences here in the world, and always will depend of what of people surround you, its so easy to learn this since as human we tend to be better than anyone its kind of natural on us, sometimes i wish we could have very low greed to enjoy in harmony sharing with all human kind, oops i think its too much to ask hehe.
