Greed Essays - 1347 Words

The Microsoft Encarta dictionary defines greed as an overwhelming desire to have more of something such as money than is actually needed. This definition cannot be argued with for it is plain and simple, giving the essence of the word. But to millions, perhaps billions of people, greed is something else. Some people portray greed as being qualities of the evil, selfish, and corrupt. Although these viewpoints may be partially true, greed cannot be condemned as solely being an escapee of Pandoras Box. Let us agree that greed is pursuing actions guided by rational self-interest. This means that anything outside food and water acquired at the cost of anyone else, no matter little they are affected can be defined as greed. Greed is a driving†¦show more content†¦The logic evolved into the Marxism System of Government that successfully lasted for a few months in the USSR before going corrupt. During its existence, Marxism eradicated the concept of ownership, but at a cost; the lac k of motivation in the Marxist society made development a waste of time and production a waste of effort. This led to the corruption and eventual collapse of the government. Thus, a society without properly and efficiently integrating greed into itself will lose the power of the human condition, and thus not survive. Albert Einstein is regarded as the fourth most important individual in world history. He is portrayed as being sensible, honest and selfless in his complete devotion to science. But that observation is partially eschewed. If Einstein felt he was getting no gain out of his research and findings, it wouldnt be in his self-interest to continue. According to Dear Professor Einstein: Albert Einsteins letters to and from children one of Einsteins primary goals for doing his work was to understand how God and his marvelous creations workp47. The driving force for his research had not been solely for the benefit of science, but to also satisfy his hunger for knowledge. This, wh atever one may call it, is at its purest form greed. The ink this paper was printed with, the paper it was printed on, the coffee in your hand; these areShow MoreRelatedRelationship Between Greed And Grievance1210 Words   |  5 Pagesrelationship between greed and grievance as motivating factors in violent conflict? Use at least one case study to illustrate your argument† The greed and grievances theory provides opposing arguments as to what really are the causes for violent conflict. Scholars have conducted numerous researches on a number of violent conflicts in attempt to analyze to what extent greed or grievances appear to be motivating factors for violent conflicts such as civil wars etc. Those who believe in the greed model trustRead MoreSilence: Silence: a Thirteenth-Century French Romance Close Reading Paper817 Words   |  4 Pagesuseless wealth. This proves that wealth and greed are inferior and shameful, while praises generosity as superior and honorable. At the end of the opening, after all the hatred has been expressed, the writer says he now can begin his story â€Å"without a lot of fuss and bother†. Since the overall theme of the story relate to property and the problems relating to the right to own it, it appears that the writer does not just simply tell us his feeling toward greed and wealth but his main goal is to prepareRead MoreCharles Darwins Radical New Book On The Origin Of Species1424 Words   |  6 Pagesthe eventual greed spawned from this consuming desire. Mac’s girlfriend at the time, and later his wife, Trina, won $5000 in a lottery, but was very frugal with her winnings. Mac, who was never accustomed to wealth or high society, found this very frustrating and after the loss of his business, â€Å"every hour the question of money came up† (Norris, 127). He was unrelenting in his search for money. To McTeague, wealth equaled power and success. Norris exemplifies the dangers of greed and how it canRead MoreThe Pearl Of The World1487 Words   |  6 Pagesof their troubles. After finding â€Å"the Pearl of the World,† (22) Kino is plagued with vexation. His benevolence and good intentions are soon overcome by his greed. The collective rapacity of Kino and other people precipitates misfortune and violence around Kino. This eventually leads to Coyotito s death. The novella highlights that the greed for materialistic possessions can cloud one s judgment and bring grief instead of bliss. In the exposition of the novella, the protagonist Kino, and his familyRead More Frank Norris’s Novel McTeague Essay1510 Words   |  7 PagesFrancisco, â€Å"a place where anything can happen†¦where fact is often stranger than fiction† (McElrath, Jr. 447), Norris explores themes of greed and naturalism, revealing the darker side of human psyche. What can be found most disturbing is the way that Norris portrays McTeague, in shocking detail, as nothing more than a brute animal at his core. Norris explores the greed and savage animalism that lurks inside McTeague.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McTeague is first portrayed as a gentle giant. The reader is introduced to McTeagueRead MoreThe Golden Age By Aphra Behn898 Words   |  4 Pageshostility and violence take over this peaceful ground. When Behn writes â€Å"The stubborn Plough had then/ Made†¦ rude Rapes upon the Virgin Earth† (31-32), she is creating a metaphor for the imposition of man, cultivating the Earth for food, in a way of greed. Where love is associated with the pleasantness of nature, honour ties in with victory, which are both associated with civilization and sin. The best example of this is the beginning of part five (5): â€Å"Right and Property were words since made, WhenRead More The Definition of Success Essay523 Words   |  3 Pagessuccessful, but only so far as the acquirement sharpens his intellect, broadens his powers, and develops him into a self-reliant, powerful member of society for its good. Selfish wealth is never good. One may be a millionaire, but if with it comes greed, avarice, oppression of others, the success is small indeed. Scattered along the path of life we find examples of men whose success brought them fame and glory and proved an unqualified blessing to all mankind. . . . [Scientist Louis] Aggasiz wasRead MoreMacbeth Character Analysis999 Words   |  4 Pagessocial ladder because of his ethnicity. He is a jew and a â€Å"rags-bottle-sacks man, who live[s] in a filthy den† (27). His fate as a jew is to face rejection from society and inhabit a rather deplorable dwelling. He becomes overpowered by â€Å"insatiable greed†(34) when he meets Maria, and continually asks her to retell the story about the gold plates. Zerkow thrives on the belief that the story about the gold plates is true because he sees it as his opportunity to rise up in the social ladder. Zerkow fixatesRead MoreGreed Vs Greed1014 Words   |  5 PagesGreed, can we control it or will it be the demise of human existence? Some of the world’s most intelligent people believe human greed will be the end of humans (Crofts). Scientists have studied the behavior and have formed two theories; one claiming greed is part of human biology and the other that greed is a result of environmental conditioning, there is sufficient evidence for both (Robinson). Richard Talflinger, an expert in human behavior at Washington State University, describes greed as anRead MoreBeing A Naturalist Writer By Frank Norris1208 Words   |  5 Pagesenvironment on human life† (Encyclopaedia Britannica 1). As mentioned when discussing his inspiration from Professor Joseph Le Conte, Norris wanted to show the influence of heredity on the behavior of humans. McTeague was adapted into a movie called Greed by Erich von Stroheim in 1924 as well as an opera by William Bolcom and Robert Altman in 1992 (Encyclopaedia Britannica 1). â€Å"McTeague came just at the moment when the critics were congratulating themselves that the invading foreign heresy of naturalistic