Greed is a virtue according to Ayn Rand. I was thinking that greed can be extended to intellectual greed(nobel prize winners), spiritual greed(monks, gurus), humanitarian greed(gandhi) and other types. What do you think?
2007-06-26 13:45:53 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Precisely the opposite of a virtue.
2007-06-26 13:48:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
The 'word' greed generally has a negative connotation. Therefore I would say it isn't a virtue.
The definition of greed is: An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth.
If we ignore the specification of material wealth, an excessive desire for something positive (such as knowledge, etc..) could be positive...but we can't forget: everything is better in moderation.
The 'quality' of life of a monk or a genius could be discussed. Do they really live a FULL life? Some would say they miss out on some beautiful things in life by concentrating to much on one aspect of it. By being so greedy with knowledge or peace, etc. maybe they miss out on the easy-living of life, having a family or even partying with friends.
I maintain that greed is not a virtue. Greed is an excessive way of life. Life is all about finding a perfect balance, and greed is too extreme to be a virtue.
2007-06-26 13:57:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
You're making some sense with your proposition. How about expertise? Does that stem from greed? How about passion? Does that stem from greed? How about love (for a subject)? Mozart said, "Love, love, love..that is the soul of genius". Enough said. It is a voracious appetite (of a yearning nature) for some subject or activity. But all the examples you mention are behavioral manifestations. It's called eminence by way of expertise or accomplishing something unique. Wouldn't you agree that all of the aforementioned examples could possibly have passion, love, or expertise involved along with but not necessarily greed?
Greed. Interesting you mention 'greed'. If greed is overabundant passion or belief in some cause. Then, perhaps. But usually 'greed' is used in a negative way. It indicates an incontinent nature/inherent trait. So to use greed to describe greedy nobel prize winners, or greedy spiritual monks, or greedy humanitarians seem... dissonant or misnomer .....or at best, mismatched.
2007-06-26 14:39:56 · answer #3 · answered by Pansy 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
On this I agree with Rand ( and Gordon Gekko). For the person who accumulates wealth, greed is indeed envisioned as good. They create a virtue out of it by rationalizing the behavior as a benefit to rugged individualism and the elevation of mankind. Entire bodies of thought have been written on this concept.
Greed by some is seen as a vice. I also agree with this. Greed can cause harm to society and to individuals. Entire philosophies and many religions see greed as a destructive behavior of man.
So both can be true, greed can be a virtue and a vice depending on who's ideological shoes you want to wear.
2007-06-26 13:58:33 · answer #4 · answered by ycats 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Ayn Rand has greed as a virtue??? I don't remember reading him that way. Greed is certainly not something that leads to satisfaction, so I can't think of it as a good thing. Ambition is a virtue... and can be satisfied. Keep thinkin' !! Hugs, Gina C.
2007-06-26 13:52:31 · answer #5 · answered by Gina C 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What we are greedy for is what decides whether it can be a virtue or a sin or merely neutral..... greed in itself is a highly motivating factor and to that extent, I would agree with you that greed as such can not be treated as a degrading factor. Ayn Rand has argued for the virtue of selfishness... the same applies here and greed can of course lead to a virtuous outcome as well... the virtue of greed lies in its power to move us.... and if we make sure that we are wisely greedy, it would take us to a higher level of achievements.
Greed is merely an overwhelming desire.... it is not right in my view to take a narrow meaning of desire only for the undesirable... such as undeserving money, position or power.
Once again a Star question... thanks.
2007-06-26 19:00:00 · answer #6 · answered by small 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Greed, no. Ambition could be but I would say that greed is the ugly side of ambition. Maybe she meant "hunger" or "yearning for" something. I think passion is a virtue -- to love something & want it so much you'd do anything for it. But greed implies a desire for money which is far from noble or virtuous.
2007-06-26 14:07:31 · answer #7 · answered by amp 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No.
Greed usually involves interest of the self and to the exclusion of others. Monks or gurus, for example, believing in teaching which is not the exclusion of others. Nobel prize winners generally provide for others in terms of their accomplishments. Gandhi, for example, while there is self-interest was interested in freedom for all Indians.
Perhaps, you are defining greed in a different way.
2007-06-26 13:51:03 · answer #8 · answered by guru 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You hit it on the button! Greed, when used positively, like you want to become as smart, talented, etc. as someone else it will motivate you and be your drive to get there! Only then is greed a virtue.
2007-06-26 14:12:26 · answer #9 · answered by writeaway 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Of course not.
Besides aren't the holy men supposed to shy from too much of anything? If anything I'd say modesty or the act of living modest.
Having read any Ayn Rand but I'm getting a flashback to another book I've read...
2007-06-26 13:52:55 · answer #10 · answered by hikimamma 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋