Greed: Instinct, Growth, and History: Instinct, Growth, and History

Author: Alexander Robertson
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The binary opposition between mind and nature has finally led to a human tragedy, with many things important to us lost in this great division, such as our understanding of pain, violence, madness, shame, love, and greed. The author of this book critiques the cold and lifeless modern theories, re-integrating mind and matter, meaning and instinct, reason and desire based on greed. From the literal meaning of greed to philosophical theories, to real-world peasant issues, to businesses and governments, the authors a grand argument and critique. Accumulating more food for the family, striving for more wealth for the nation—these noble ambitions can escape the accusation of greed? Are we becoming greedy because of modernity, or are we becoming modern because of greed? Can growth serve as a reasonable excuse for greed? Have companies or governments truly transcended the influence of human emotional impulses? Can they thus escape the accusation of greed? Greed lurks malevolently at the threshold between beast and human, stripping away the facade of modern theories stitched together with concepts like "rational self-interest" and "individualism." Accumulating more food for the family, striving for more wealth for the nation—these noble ambitions can escape the accusation of greed? Are we becoming greedy because of modernity, or are we becoming modern because of greed? Can growth serve as a reasonable excuse for greed? Have companies or governments truly transcended the influence of human emotional impulses? Can they thus escape the accusation of greed? Greed lurks malevolently at the threshold between beast and human, stripping away the facade of modern theories stitched together with concepts like "rational self-interest" and "individualism." This vivid and original work broadly explores how greed operates in our lives and throughout the vast world. Western philosophy has academically institutionalized human passions, explaining our expanded desires as "rational self-interest" and defending them. However, an examination of the power of greed reveals the cold and lifeless nature of modern theories. This shows us how confused we have become about the meaning of growth when creating false distinctions between biological and historical perspectives and burying moral crises. Guided by greed, this book reflects on how these meanings can be re-integrated.