our moral values today are based on greed and not need?

Question

whats your opinion on this statement
is this a good/bad thing
why has this happened whos to blame
how does this affect you and your life and the people around you

anecdotes would be appreciated (see i have to write a speech on this topic before tomorrow)

Answer 1

Greed is a selfish monster the rears its ugly head all too prevalent in our society. There was a time that need was the driving force here in America. It seems as though there have been many events over the course of this countries history where prosperity would be thwarted (wars, depression ect.) and individuals had to work hard to make sure the basic needs were met prior to engaging in greed. During those times, greed was exhibited only by a select few who possessed the monetary means to pursue more. Today, economic prosperity is not something that only a select few are able to enjoy. Additionally, one does not have to be wealthy to have many of the "finer things in life". As one gains a taste of these things, there comes a desire for more. Commercialism drives this desire by advertising items as a must own or appealing to ones ego by making one feel unique by owning such a thing. Commercialism has destroyed the meaning behind several holidays that were intended to encourage one to look outside of himself. Christmas, Easter, 4th of July ect... Are holidays that are meant to encourage selfless behavior by thinking of others, however, these have been perverted to the point that children and adults become angry about not getting what they want. Individuals fight over goods from the store because their desire to satisfy their own greed becomes overpowering. This ugly monster gains control over the hearts of mankind and degrades the moral base that this Country was founded upon (premise that all men are created equal). The saddest part is that this drive to obtain more is then passed to a certain extent to their children and their children’s children. The interesting element in all of this is that many baby boomers will look upon children today and wonder why they have a sense of entitlement. We have given them that sense by not wanting them to ever go without. Wanting our children to have more then we did. Wanting, and being able to, give our children what they want. Then wondering why they have become selfish, greedy, and entitled.

Answer 2

Yes, it's all about winning, not whether or not your stood up for principles. If you won you are considered "good." Take Bill Clinton. He never brought himself to the point where he said "I am sorry." He only said he had a lapse in judgment. And so do all the other political hacks. Sports "heroes" are heroes, not because they make some extraordinary sacrifice or risk, but because they win, and do it with huge salaries. Would Michael Jordan be a hero to the young black kids if he was making minimum wage? Tom Brady has a child out of wedlock, and his immorality doesn't matter as long as it doesn't affect his game. Go figure.

What happens is society is that nobody gives in and it becomes a big competitive game, everyone fighting to gain an advantage. But there is a heavy price to pay, societal and personal wise, and history repeats itself yet again.

Answer 3

There seem to be a common perception as to what the
younger generation expects, which in time of settling down
and getting married. It changes.
Many, ask themselves, "What's in it for me," before they make
an effort, to do anything, even in helping others.
I am in my 60's. I have seen much. I grew up an "orphan,"
and I know the "short end of the stick," when I see it.
There are so many out there with a vast knowledge, and the
talents, who are able to extend an hand to help a friend, or to
"take someone under their wing," as it is termed.
So, yes, I have to agree, there are many with moral values
that are not based on need, but also in greed. But with so
many out there, who are helping in the right way. I want to
mention. "don't let a few bad apples, spoil the whole tree."As
Mother Waddles & Father Flanagan's Girls and Boys Town.
And in writing your speech tomorrow, If what you say, Helps
even one other person, in a positive way, for that person,
to change his life. Your speech will not have went on "deaf
ears." And you will have "done your job."
My job here is not to get me points, to pat myself on the back.
But, to serve "your needs." Best of luck. <}:-})

Answer 4

I began to figure out those kind of things when my dad pointed out the chimney pipe in the attic and said; "that's where santa clause comes down on christmas", .... looking at that skinny four inch tin pipe I figured something was wrong. There was no way in God's blue jewel of a planet that fat man could fit through that pipe! NO WAY! For years afterwards I learnt of other lies we call "white lies" and hiding the truth so that we don't hurt someone else's feelings. Then I learnt that there is never an honest politician, never! They can't tell the truth; otherwise they would never get elected. They tell us what we want to hear, they do what we want them to do. More than 80% of the politicians that are honorary M.C.s in the infamous "gay pride parade day" hate the idea of it but for political reasons? They will lie through their civil servant teeth and grin and bear it for our votes. Do you really think all the money the nations around the world are throwing at the recession is going to avert a depression? Uh-uh. The likes of Obama and his peers know it won't but the public seems to think that the government can fix it so off they go to do what we want for our votes. It isn't going to work but they are going to do it. We live in lies from day one to the last day of our life. I learnt that very early in life, but I lived in a state of denial until I was in my late thirties and just accepted it as the way of the world. I don't bother with the way of the world anymore, I just live the best I can with what I have and pray the good Lord will take care of me now. The lies I don't pay attention to anymore, not from the media nor the neighbours.

Answer 5

To start off, all moral concepts are subjective. the word "moral" is an euphemism for what we deem socially and personally acceptable.
Moral values are a function of stimuli. Using greed as an example you can notice that need for more is a common biological method of making social creatures save for possible future hardship gone out of bounds. Like ants storing food for the winter, humans have biological leaning to accumulate wealth for future hardship. Unfortunately, there is no stop mechanism to this simple biological instinct. The lack of a stop mechanism is due to the fact that in nature the possibility of over accumulating resources is unlikely. And the possibility of doing so to the extent that it will harm the saver and others is also unlikely.
It is only under our modern human condition, which is extremely short in term of evolutionary adaptation, that we come to this issue. Humanity has had no biological adaptation time to make such adjustments. It is our developed "modern" minds that have come to understand it and attempt to control it whenever aware of such possibility.
Thus, not all greed is in foul spirits. Most greed isn't deliberate at all. It is just an ancient desire to save for harder times. Also, having good savings is attractive for mates and those who wish to benefits from the scraps of wealth. This secondary effect of better mate choice and "friendly" company further stimulates the wealth amassing instinct.
However, let me note that not all morals are based solely in greed. Otherwise we would not be attempting to save children from abuse. Or aiding victims of natural disasters. Never forget to open your mind to the good aspects as well as the bad. It is easy to loose ourselves in the revolt against the bad side of issues, which is in itself proof of morals being based in more than greed!

Answer 6

their greed supersedes our need, I hope you know how to moo, b/c you are and will continue to become their cash crop.

Why is it happening? Because we dont learn from history .
Whose doing it? The global elite ofcourse... Yes thats Bush AND Hillary.. they all serve thier same corporate masters; the people who secretly own all the gold.

Feel the inflation? Thats because they own the cash printing machines and are printing indiscriminately. The Federal reserve is no more federal than Federal express... its a privately owned bank, whose owners are secret.. Find them, and youll be one step closer to finding the elite.

heres a few good sources.

prisonplanet.com
abovetopsecret.com

Answer 7

This is true! It kinda hinges on the phrase "conspicious consumption". We are too caught up in the materialistic things in life most times to stop and think of the real needy.

Answer 8

It's capitalism vs. socialism.

"If we are going to survive, we had better find a better way." -- Albert Einstein (noted genius and socialist)

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Excerpt from:

Why Socialism
By Albert Einstein

http://www.monthlyreview.org/598einst.htm

"The economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of the evil. We see before us a huge community of producers the members of which are unceasingly striving to deprive each other of the fruits of their collective labor—not by force, but on the whole in faithful compliance with legally established rules."

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Speaking of Veblen's "conspicious consumption" here's another quote from Einstein's essay Why Socialism:

"But historic tradition is, so to speak, of yesterday; nowhere have we really overcome what Thorstein Veblen called "the predatory phase" of human development. The observable economic facts belong to that phase and even such laws as we can derive from them are not applicable to other phases. Since the real purpose of socialism is precisely to overcome and advance beyond the predatory phase of human development, economic science in its present state can throw little light on the socialist society of the future."

Answer 9

The statement seems all encompassing. This might be the ay that some people feel or choose to live their lives, but I think that the majority do not.

I only choose to associate with people that are of similar values to me.

Answer 10

I don't think so. I don't know why you think so, since you have not given any anecdotes to show why you feel so.

May be it is just a feeling that you have and hence you could not give even one anecdote off the cuff.. Think again..