Why do we as humans look to materialistic gains rather than look within to find happiness?

Answer 1

It takes the most fundamental needs to be satisfied before you can start to look within. Even then, most are scared stiff by what they might see and then have to come to terms with. That said, you are right in the drift of your question. And it's a question which we all must needs face at one time or other in our lives.

Answer 2

Because my xbox 360 is alot more fun that sitting holding hands with a bunch of strangers making weird noises!
I guess I am materialistic to a degree I like brand new things but I find complete happiness from my daughter, so I think I have the best of both worlds!

Answer 3

Does money and material gain bring happiness? If you, as most people with extra money do, buy bigger houses and more expensive cars, your level of happiness will not go up, because these are inconspicuous consumption goods.

If we choose to go for the inconspicuous ones. Such as Freedom from a long commute or a stressful job the effects of this would be reduced and give us more time for what is truly important more time available for devoting to your real core values such as family and friends.

Because humans are Interdependent on others for a sense of belonging and connectedness we constantly feel a desire to keep up with Joneses.

Answer 4

I think humans are materialistic, because we like to be modern. For example if a new generations of cellphones is released, everyone will want to buy it. But to buy the new cellphone you need money. Parents work for money to make their kids happy: to be in trend with things. But we are forggetting that humans can be happy just by being together. That is a big mistake

Answer 5

As long as it make your mood goes up & it doesn't hurt others. That all. Why restrict you to either looking for materialistic gain or look within. Do both to get the best of both worlds !.

Answer 6

Good question.
Personally, I put it down to media image. Media connects 'stuff' with an aspirational life. In reality, the happiest people are the ones who mix the right balance of work, rest, social time and family time. Hence the reason the proportion of depressed lottery winners is 20 times the national average.

Saying that, there will be hunderds of people reading this with no idea how large amounts of money can make you depressed. Understandable really, but its true.

Answer 7

Because the grass is always greener on the other side. We see people who have more and think, "Wow, they must be happy." so we believe that if we have more too, we will be happy. Some people blame lack of money (one of the biggest causes for arguments in marriage) as a reason for their lack of happiness. The believe that if they had more money they will be happier. Some people feel if more people liked them, they would be happier and then see people with great wealth surrounded by people or being the constant center of attention (ie Donald Trump). They believe that if they have money they will also be loved and center of attention.

Answer 8

The thing is most people's happiness is derived from contact with other people, friendship, sharing, love etc but for most of these we have to open ourselves up to other people and risk being hurt by them. It is far easier to find happiness, however brief, with a new DVD or CD, a new Stereo, a new car or a new house to distract ourselves from the human contact we truly desire.

Answer 9

Because we are compelled to control. This is fantasy. What is material seems to be controllable. Even men and women may be objectified. Yet we have the power to choose. By exercising this power we may find joy by letting go and accepting. Not a permanent infinite state of joy. But joy mixed in with pain. Such is life.

Answer 10

Because Money=Happiness for a whole lot more people then ud ever know .. and with money u can get great materialistic gains---