Greed...are we born with it or do we learn it?

[Raven]

I have never had a greedy person in my life or among my circle for friends. I don't know if I'm in the majority or not. A friend and I got to talking about greed today and I realized that I had never really thought about where it comes from.

I have had people in my life who where narcissistic, people who were egotistic...all sorts of other types but I had never really thought about what produces greed.

My theory at the moment is that greed is a learned behavior. If you have grown up without anything, maybe you become greedy...but what about all the other folks...the ones who have ripped the American people off....

Where does greed come from?

[ixion]

1. both

greed stems from an innate instinct to provide for one's self. Most of us who have decent parents are taught to share, but there are those who cultivate that instinct into something very ugly.

my two cents.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. I think there is a cultural aspect...but the media plays a big role as well

(think about what TV tells people that they just must have!)

I don't understand greed either....or big egos...or so much else about the world these days (like why so many people like that warbly all over the place vocal style - the warbling screechers as we call them!)

[BlueJac]

3. It is learned, you are not born with greed...........

Are you kidding, it is taught and learned from other people. Look in nature and you will see that greed is not common, but learned.

[fed_up_mother]

10. Greed is very common, and I think it's both.

Ever been around a two year old?

"Mine!"

"Mine! Mine! Mine! Mine!"

Nobody teaches that to a two year old! Sure, some kids are naturally altruistic, but others must be taught to share. And even in more "primitive" of societies where much living is communal, people still try to get a leg up on others. Wanna' get ahead? Marry off your daughter to the chieftain!

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. We learn it

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dat's my Canuk Opinion/Observation

[Canuckistanian]

5. I'm sure we're born with this tendency

We all want to provide for ourselves and our families.

But it's SOCIETY and CULTURE that tells us how far we can go with it.

That's the problem. Some people live in small "communities" that condone taking all you can get with no constraints.

They just never learned the meaning of "no" or "enough".

[rucky]

6. "Mine!"

All toddlers say it. Just some more than others.

[mudesi]

7. Absolutely Learned

[flvegan]

8. Greed comes from the ego.

[IGotAName]

9. I think greed is a values issue- definitely a product of

the way a person is raised.

What is important in life? If parents focus on or around money in the way they guide their children, that is what their children will evaluate their success by.

[Still Sensible]

11. Generally it is a character trait that is inborn, but

is--like many personality traits--subject to enhancement and exploitation by the environment IMO. The ever stronger consumer culture that has been fostered over recent decades, coupled with the glorification through mass media of those who amass vast wealth, contributes to the modern exploitation of that trait.

[BlooInBloo]

13. HAHAAHAHAAAA!!!!!

[unkachuck]

12. everything....

....in our capitalist daily life and/or system encourages or demands greed for best results....

....want a bonus? Then get your customer before your competitor....hurry to the sale at the mall, hurry while supplies last....eat fast then grab that last chicken leg before your sister....be charitable, but FIRST find a way to profit from being charitable....

....when was the last time any institution or corporation did something for you for free? Completely unsolicited? No strings attached?

....I think greed is mostly a learned capitalist behaivor....I wonder if those who live under a Communist system share the same greed-level as Americans?

[TahitiNut]

14. Then why are employees so often threatened with 'survival' ... i.e. fear losing job?

There's a big difference between appetites that surpass what needed for survival and subsistence. "I'm dead" is the feeling that accompanies loss of a job, along with social rejection and loss of identity. I actually haven't seen the majority of people motivated by more than some desire for economic security. I see a LOT of immaturity - failure to save for that proverbial rain day, and the neurotic desire to nest amongst one's "stuff." I'd not call that greed. Greed is lusting after a third Porsche, and third home, a bigger boat, and more people to do one's bidding. IMHO.

[bertman]

15. Greed for material possessions, I think is natural, but our cultural training tempers it

in most of us.

There are also other categories of greedy such as greedy for attention, greedy for sympathy, but they don't seem to be as bad as the money/possession greed.

[SmileyRose]

16. put me in the both column.

a certain amount of selfishness is required for individual survival, but through training we can and should be taught to adhere to get what we personally need within a responsible family or community framework. That toxic greed we see in some of our citizens is learned IMHO but it builds on a natural predisposition to be slightly selfish.

[omega minimo]

17. Greed is lack of consciousness

[Initech]

18. Definitely learned.

We live in a capitalist society where everything is high priced and that bullshit theory that he who dies with the most toys wins is in full effect.

[leftstreet]

19. People don't want 20 jet skis - they want power

And in our society money = power.

We're taught, and we believe, that if we have enough money nobody can fuck with us!

'Greed' is the term they throw at us whenever we start questioning why the Predator Class has so much power/money.