Is there such a thing as greed?

[TheEnigma]

So what is considered greedy? Wikipedia says "Greed is a selfish and excessive desire for more of something, especially wealth or possessions, than is needed or deserved." But almost anyone can always use a more money, more comforts, more power etc. So isn't greed subjective? At what point is an individual just surviving and at what point is someone just being greedy? Who defines it?

[Snader]

2 hours ago, TheEnigma said:

But almost anyone can always use a more money, more comforts, more power etc.

When you become conscious of the fact that you don't really need more of those things and start consciously controlling your action around your desires, your greediness starts to reduce. So we might say greediness = unconsciousness.

After all it's just a label. In a way we will always be greedy as human beings, as long as we are alive. Where you draw the line is subjective, and is determined by your perspective, values, culture, personality and other stuff that make you who you are.

[Salvijus]

Greed is when you're attached to the thing you're grasping on. Afraid to give it away because you believe your happyness, success, or survival depends on it. 

True living is about not being attached to anything. Willingness to give everything away if need be. Yet being grateful for all the things that sustain you every moment. 

Edited November 15, 2024 by Salvijus

[UnbornTao]

It might be a emotional state or disposition that is generated when, after having sufficiently met your needs and wants, you cling unnecessarily to the pursuit of more for its own sake, hoping it will fulfill something it cannot--such as emotional needs, a longing for meaning, intimacy, or recognition.

Regardless of that, What is so-called greed when experienced for oneself? For example: What about the functional pursuit of money might eventually turn into a "greed"  relationship?

Edited November 19, 2024 by UnbornTao

[Basman]

Taking more than you reasonably need, usually at the expense of someone else. Like if there is a pizza party, you sneak extra slices on your plate so there's less for the rest. Its not about hunger at that point but simply wanting more, I.E. greed. Greed is defined by excess, when you want more than you need.

[FourCrossedWands]

Greed is completely relative.

You can be greedy and generous at the same.

This is a great example: If you want the best for your children, but it's at the expense of someone else, you are greedy and generous at the same time.

Your children will have a happy, luxurious live, while some other children will starve do death.

I recommend watching this movie: The Zone of Interest.

[Yimpa]

It’s like the Pot of Greed in Yu-Gi-Oh. Draw 2 cards. No drawback and easily exploitable. That’s why it is banned.

[Nilsi]

 

[TheEnigma]

Okay then why does all religion teach that greed is not a good thing then?

[UnbornTao]

1 hour ago, TheEnigma said:

Okay then why does all religion teach that greed is not a good thing then?

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Good question and a better one to ask oneself: What is greed?

[Ishanga]

On 11/15/2024 at 0:15 AM, TheEnigma said:

So what is considered greedy? Wikipedia says "Greed is a selfish and excessive desire for more of something, especially wealth or possessions, than is needed or deserved." But almost anyone can always use a more money, more comforts, more power etc. So isn't greed subjective? At what point is an individual just surviving and at what point is someone just being greedy? Who defines it?

Greed is an aspect of the Desiring Process we all have within Us, its You wanting to be More of than what You are right Now, but with Greed its an part Intellectual and Emotional Desire, You compare with others, then want what they have and go for it, its okay and natural, its the Entanglement involved with the things acquired, success, money, possessions, fame, whatever, that is the problem, if those things disappear You suffer it..

No one can really say what is too much, I personally think someone like Musk being worth $200 +billion, is a bit too much for anyone person to have that much wealth and power that comes with it, especially when there are ppl that are suffering homelessness and hopelessness, all due to economic disparity and such,,

Identification with something You are not is the main problem in life, this causes so much craziness and suffering in the world.. 

[Basman]

On 15/11/2024 at 7:34 PM, FourCrossedWands said:

Greed is completely relative.

You can be greedy and generous at the same.

This is a great example: If you want the best for your children, but it's at the expense of someone else, you are greedy and generous at the same time.

Your children will have a happy, luxurious live, while some other children will starve do death.

I recommend watching this movie: The Zone of Interest.

I think this example is more greedy than its generous. It doesn't take generosity to invest into your children that you identify with. He's benefiting relationally and possibly materially down the line.

[creativepursuit]

20 hours ago, TheEnigma said:

Okay then why does all religion teach that greed is not a good thing then?

All religion teaches one thing - Modesty. Greed is one of the extremes on the scale of no desire to excessive desire. Without desire it's impossible to live and function in this world and with excessive desire anyone can easily manipulate you and you can forget spirituality in this life.

[Atb210201]

When you want more and in the process it also hurts others or it takes their rights to also have some away from them then we say that's a selfish thing and is therefore greedy.

What do you think stealing is?

Greed is just that.

You wanting something that is not yours is the definition of greed.

Take for example a guy wanting the girl of another guy or vice versa; now isn't that just greed?

Edited November 18, 2024 by Atb210201

[TheEnigma]

8 hours ago, Atb210201 said:

When you want more and in the process it also hurts others or it takes their rights to also have some away from them then we say that's a selfish thing and is therefore greedy.

What do you think stealing is?

Greed is just that.

You wanting something that is not yours is the definition of greed.

Take for example a guy wanting the girl of another guy or vice versa; now isn't that just greed?

Good answer that it's about wanting something that isn't yours. But some people steal because they have to feed their kids. Or they're genuinely homeless and need to eat. The wanting another guy or guy I agree with that it's greed. But reasons for stealing is very complicated.

[Sandhu]

On 15/11/2024 at 3:16 PM, UnbornTao said:

It might be the emotional state or disposition that arises when, after having sufficiently met your needs and wants, you cling unnecessarily to the pursuit of more for its own sake, hoping it will fulfill something it cannot--such as emotional needs, a longing for meaning, intimacy, or recognition--thus keeping you constrained within and as, yourself.

But what is so-called greed? What is the experience of it? What about the functional pursuit of money, for example, might eventually transform into greed? What turns its pursuit into a toxic relationship?

Great answer2

[Brittany]

On 11/15/2024 at 1:34 PM, FourCrossedWands said:

Greed is completely relative.

You can be greedy and generous at the same.

This is a great example: If you want the best for your children, but it's at the expense of someone else, you are greedy and generous at the same time.

Your children will have a happy, luxurious live, while some other children will starve do death.

I recommend watching this movie: The Zone of Interest.

The love that we have for our family, in general, is often filled with corruption.

Because they are an extension of our ego.

And we often sacrifice the OTHER, to protect our ego.

We are often loving and corrupt at the same time, when it comes to our family. haha

Anything we place next to MY ______________ becomes attached to our ego.

My friends

My family

My car

My body

My kids

My spouse

My house

And whatever people/things we view as OTHER......... we are willing to hurt, devalue, exploit......in order to protect whatever we place after MY_________________

And we often view ourselves as a good person while doing so.

6 hours ago, TheEnigma said:

Good answer that it's about wanting something that isn't yours. But some people steal because they have to feed their kids. Or they're genuinely homeless and need to eat. The wanting another guy or guy I agree with that it's greed. But reasons for stealing is very complicated.

Jealousy and Envy is wanting something that isn't yours. Not necessarily Greed. You can be greedy towards things that belong to you. For example, eating the entire box of cookies in your cabinet. They are your cookies, but you are still being greedy.

 Greed, Envy and Jealousy may all lead to theft and stealing.

This all gets very confusing.......... because Stealing, Envy, Jealousy, and Greed are all based on an assumption of Human Ownership.

When we use the words "Stealing, Envy, Jealousy, and Greed", there is a built in assumption that Human Ownership is a real thing.

But we first have to start with "What is ownership?"

Can a human being even own anything?

And "who deserves to have what?" or "how should resources be distributed amongst people?"

Human Ownership is a rabbit hole, in and of itself.

But regardless of if/how Human Ownership exists or not, Greed can be very harmful. For example, regardless of if you own the 3 boxes of Pizza on the table, if you consume the 3 boxes of Pizza in one sitting, it will harm your body. 

On 11/17/2024 at 11:05 AM, Ishanga said:

Identification with something You are not is the main problem in life, this causes so much craziness and suffering in the world.. 

I agree.

Edited November 19, 2024 by Brittany

[Atb210201]

7 hours ago, TheEnigma said:

Good answer that it's about wanting something that isn't yours. But some people steal because they have to feed their kids. Or they're genuinely homeless and need to eat. The wanting another guy or guy I agree with that it's greed. But reasons for stealing is very complicated.

Yes sure.

I just wanted to prove that greed is a thing.

Sure stealing for your hungry kids can be a topic of debate that's why I emphasised on stealing for your own selfish desires is greed.

Edited November 19, 2024 by Atb210201