Why does it seem the luckiest people are those who engage in immoral or illegal behaviors?

Question

Why does it seem that it's those who are fortunate enough to get the greatest breaks in life who really screw it up whereas those of us who live sober, moral lifestyles don't seem to get the same opportunities. I'm talking actors, actresses, sports players, tv personalities, etc. I don't believe it's always the "position" itself that changes the person but I don't understand why they don't see how good they have it and that alone should motivate them not to "screw it up." There's enough of us waiting in line for a break who wouldn't compromise our character.

By immoral I mean alcohol & drug abuse, infidelities, gambling on dog fights, etc. I'm not prudish and I don't equate pleasure with immorality (depending upon the circumstance).

Answer 1

I suspect you're over-analyzing it. To seek pleasure is not immoral.

Answer 2

This question is important to answer for me because I think you're asking a real philosophical question. The morally grotesque person gets material gain and the squeaky clean person gets hardship -- it's the cycle of reality since the dawn of history. Being sneaky, deceitful, conniving, and manipulative is actually good evolution for most animals. You can relate these qualities from millionaires to poor people who are simply not concerned about moral rules. On the other hand, the morally equitable and conscious person is actually not putting evolutionary skills at the front of his or her life and conduct, but more "elevated," or "higher" skills of interacting with people in life and conduct. Animals who cheat, steal, are opportunistic, and sly, get the meat -- those who think about righteousness miss the worm, but which side do you want to be on if you have the rare opportunity to have a human life? I would choose the latter; I hope most people would, but the reality is that the skills acquired throughout evolutionary survival in our genes don't go away very easily.

Answer 3

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Not everyone thinks that sex is immoral. Some of us think it's really good. Not everyone thinks wanting to alter their consciousness for awhile is immoral. People and many other species have been doing both since the beginning of time.

Answer 4

Ya know I have been on both sides of this coin and frankly you are correct. The reason is once you don't care about the implications the desired result just follows. I think it may be an aspect of quantum physics, more hard proof about that should be forth coming in science journals shortly.

Answer 5

It seems like that because regular individuals want to be rich & famous. We think that if we are the one's with all this good fortune we would do things alot different than the stars. But when you have money you want more money and that is why money bring more problem like not having money.

Answer 6

You consider these people "luckiest"??? sorry I don't look at it this way. This is not the way to live a long, happy, comfortable and enjoyable life.

Answer 7

"You can be rich and powerful OR you can go to Heaven. In most cases, you can't do both". I don't remember who I am quoting, but this is basically acknowledging that what you have to do to become rich and powerful is not pretty, moral or nice.

Answer 8

Their gains are short term. A believer's gains are long term. We have eternity in a place no one can really imagine. They'll have a hotter place in which to spend eternity.

Answer 9

i think the key word here is seem....on the surface it looks as though they going along just fine...but deep down inside they are rotting....

Answer 10

Because to be "Lucky" you must take risks!