[Livia]

Nothing is ever going to work perfectly because people are so greedy, aggressive and despicable, generally.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

Nothing is ever going to work perfectly because people are so greedy, aggressive and despicable, generally.

Yes this too. Power will pretty much always lead to corruption

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Yes this too. Power will pretty much always lead to corruption

Hey! I'm supposed to be the forum cynic
I don't happen to believe that I believe that what the majority of people want is just a secure job with enough money to not have to choose whether to heat or eat.

Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely....or something like that, joe public just want to work to live, not live to work.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Livia

Nothing is ever going to work perfectly because people are so greedy, aggressive and despicable, generally.

Are we naturally inclined to be these things, though, or are those things the products of the type of societies we are raised in? Are people greedy because we're being bombarded with "things", and the idea that we SHOULD want "more", that "having more" than others is an indication of success in life.

Or do those societal values arise naturally because we DO have some sort of "instinct for greed", related to primal urges to gain and hold territory, and survival instinct. That "having more" for ourselves and our own small group = higher likelihood of survival.

Then again that's really just something to think about out of curiosity, because if it's where we are now, it doesn't really matter "why" I suppose.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Are we naturally inclined to be these things, though, or are those things the products of the type of societies we are raised in? Are people greedy because we're being bombarded with "things", and the idea that we SHOULD want "more", that "having more" than others is an indication of success in life.

Or do those societal values arise naturally because we DO have some sort of "instinct for greed", related to primal urges to gain and hold territory, and survival instinct. That "having more" for ourselves and our own small group = higher likelihood of survival.

Then again that's really just something to think about out of curiosity, because if it's where we are now, it doesn't really matter "why" I suppose.

It is an interesting discussion though, it's a little bit like the nature or nurture question

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Are we naturally inclined to be these things, though, or are those things the products of the type of societies we are raised in? Are people greedy because we're being bombarded with "things", and the idea that we SHOULD want "more", that "having more" than others is an indication of success in life.

Or do those societal values arise naturally because we DO have some sort of "instinct for greed", related to primal urges to gain and hold territory, and survival instinct. That "having more" for ourselves and our own small group = higher likelihood of survival.

Then again that's really just something to think about out of curiosity, because if it's where we are now, it doesn't really matter "why" I suppose.

Hmm...that's very thought provoking.
I'm just heading out to do some mundane tasks but at least you've now given me something to think about!!

[DemolitionRed]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Are we naturally inclined to be these things, though, or are those things the products of the type of societies we are raised in? Are people greedy because we're being bombarded with "things", and the idea that we SHOULD want "more", that "having more" than others is an indication of success in life.

Or do those societal values arise naturally because we DO have some sort of "instinct for greed", related to primal urges to gain and hold territory, and survival instinct. That "having more" for ourselves and our own small group = higher likelihood of survival.

Then again that's really just something to think about out of curiosity, because if it's where we are now, it doesn't really matter "why" I suppose.

I believe there is a natural inclination to hoard assets in the same way that you would store a harvest for harder times and that the modern consumer society plays on that and amplifies it, so yes, I think we have become greedy but I believe we were pre-disposed to become greedy.

Thatcher deliberately played on peoples desire for material wealth and in turn, those who reveled in this new consumer environment made others feel like failures if they couldn't afford these goodies.

We could ask; are we programmable? (I think that's an easy one)
A tougher question is; What is the essence of human nature?