"Money is the Ruler of all Evil"

Bardock, the notion of the word ''greed'' is bad, evil, vile. It is the accepted notion across cultures, countries and ages. It has been so for thousands upon thousands of years.

Scientists, thinkers, academics, poets, leaders and ordinary people have ALL spoken of greed as bad.

You cannot find any such person talking abut greed as good. THAT is my proof.
My proof is that you cannot support your claim, by anyone's words (apart from an investment banker who was jailed because of his greed - ironically)

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Bardock, the notion of the word ''greed'' is bad, evil, vile. It is the accepted notion across cultures, countries and ages. It has been so for thousands upon thousands of years.

Scientists, thinkers, academics, poets, leaders and ordinary people have ALL spoken of greed as bad.

You cannot find any such person talking abut greed as good. THAT is my proof.
My proof is that you cannot support your claim, by anyone's words (apart from an investment banker who was jailed because of his greed - ironically)

No doubt. How does that prove that greed can not cause very positive things?

Some have spoken that it is not. Again, popular opinion is not proof. You do know that, right?

Haha, that is inaccurate:

“Greed: A word commonly used by liberals, low achievers, anti-capitalists and society's losers to denigrate, shame and discredit those who have acquired superior job skills and decision-making capabilities and who, through the application of those job”

- Neal Boortz

“Avarice, the spur of industry”

- David Hume

Admittedly there are only few, but not everyone sees greed as bad. Now, if you want to go by a purely negative definition of greed I agree, but to deny that the definitions you gave can have positive consequences is madness.

I know at least in the case of Ayn Rand, there is a distinction between greed and selfishness (or what she calls rational self-interest).

I agree that this selfishness is massively beneficial to humans in general, although greed is very detrimental. I would say true greed only exists in sociopathic or heavily indoctrinated people, as our rational self interest, imho, genetically predisposed. I don't know, maybe when you get to the point where the emotional impact your actions have on others are not a deterrent to harming them, you have moved from selfishness to greed?

Originally posted by inimalist
I know at least in the case of Ayn Rand, there is a distinction between greed and selfishness (or what she calls rational self-interest).

I agree that this selfishness is massively beneficial to humans in general, although greed is very detrimental. I would say true greed only exists in sociopathic or heavily indoctrinated people, as our rational self interest, imho, genetically predisposed. I don't know, maybe when you get to the point where the emotional impact your actions have on others are not a deterrent to harming them, you have moved from selfishness to greed?

Originally posted by Bardock42
Well, if we agree on that definition I agree. I just don't think that that is the common definition.

indeed

greed seems to be more associated with accumulation of wealth in society.

I'd call it envy, but I hate them greedy bastards too

You didn't read your own quote-

Neal Boortz spoke of use of word greed in opposition to capitalist tendencies by liberals, NOT, greed as a good thing.

If you actually read it, it talks about usage of the word Greed to degrade people with skills who have aquiered money. If it was a good thing, it wouldn't be degrading.

Scottish philosopher is one which endorses greed. Fair enough.

Originally posted by inimalist
I know at least in the case of Ayn Rand, there is a distinction between greed and selfishness (or what she calls rational self-interest).

I agree that this selfishness is massively beneficial to humans in general, although greed is very detrimental. I would say true greed only exists in sociopathic or heavily indoctrinated people, as our rational self interest, imho, genetically predisposed. I don't know, maybe when you get to the point where the emotional impact your actions have on others are not a deterrent to harming them, you have moved from selfishness to greed?

Which was spoken of in my definition of wikipedia - the want for wealth is not classed as greed-

Some desire to increase one's wealth is nearly universal and acceptable in any culture, but this simple want is not considered greed. Greed is the extreme form of this desire, especially where one desires things simply for the sake of owning them. Greed may entail acquiring material possessions [b]at the expense of another person's welfare

Calling yourself greedy, implies that - as Boris has done in his post. Not because he understood the notion of ''greed'' but because of spite towards Bible.

Furthermore, people long before Bible condemned greed as something undesiarable.

Bardock and Lil B, you should get married. Then we can talk about you in the "Relationship" thread... 😄

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Which was spoken of in my definition of wikipedia - the want for wealth is not classed as greed-

Calling yourself greedy, implies that - as Boris has done in his post. Not because he understood the notion of ''greed'' but because of spite towards Bible.

Furthermore, people long before Bible condemned greed as something undesiarable.

Well, okay, in that case I admit I have been to fast with judging you. I assumed you were against selfishness on a whole. But you have a more radical definition of greed. Sorry.

if greed means a one way ticket to hell, i imagine that most of the worlds population will be BBQing for all eternity. snausages, anyone?

It depends.If all you think is money and that it is the most imporatnt thing in your life then there is a promblem.That is when it is evil.But we are talking about some piece of paper(that is money)
So it is not the money it is the person.jm

we all want more money. we all strive for the BBD. by this, we are all greedy.

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
we all want more money. we all strive for the BBD. by this, we are all greedy.

Not everyone. Plenty of people have no desire for money. What people do tend to want his possessions.

and how do you attain said possessions?

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
and how do you attain said possessions?

Theft. Gifts. Exchange for work.

You live in a culture where the only way to get things is by purchasing them. That isn't true everywhere.

Some cultures don't even have currency.

no currency? name a few, please.

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
no currency? name a few, please.

Many aboriginal societys don't use currency. The Maya orginal operated on a system of work in direct exchange for what you wanted. Tribal groups generally work in a communal fashion and have no need of currency except in the loose form of useful objects.

interesting.....

Originally posted by Rogue Jedi
we all want more money. we all strive for the BBD. by this, we are all greedy.

many people forgo money and fame for personal ambition

see: doctors, teachers, fire fighters. Hell, most chemists working outside of the private sector do so at their own financial peril.

People should not love things. Money is a thing.