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Negative Effects Of Human Greed

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According to a global survey involving 50, 000 participants, many people feel that humanity’s biggest threats are environmental pollution and inequality, among others. (Pew Global, 2014) However, not many people realize that these are the by-products of humanity’s greediness. While altruism is a refined capability, greed is an instinctive impulse, which makes it ideally suited to mankind’s simplistic consumer culture. Greed is defined as a selfish or excessive desire for more than what is needed or deserved, especially for money, wealth, or other possessions. (Barry, 2011) Human beings are complicated creatures that are not easily satisfied. When it comes to cars, for example, it is not sufficient to own a basic one – some people can spend millions of dollars on a Ferrari. …show more content…

This fundamental driving force of mankind results in extreme thoughts and behaviors, sometimes even at the expense of fellow human beings and the ecosystem as well. Therefore, the biggest threat to humanity today is greed. Firstly, greed threatens the psychological health of individuals. One theory of greed is that it is programmed into human genes because it promotes survival in the course of evolution. Without greed, a person may lack the motivation to build or achieve many things in life and he may also be rendered more vulnerable to the greed of others. (Burton, 2014) However, greed is precarious as it can lead to unhealthy thought patterns, which might turn into dangerous psychological disorders. Technological advancement has led to a ‘selfie’ generation which allows one to choose

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