Greed (Instinct, Growth, and History)

Author: Hu Jing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-09
Features: The binary opposition between thought and traits has finally led to a human disaster. Many things that are important to us have been lost in this great split, 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 thought and matter, meaning and instinct, and 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 they 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 surpassed the influence of human emotional impulses? Can they therefore escape the accusation of greed? Greed lurks malevolently at the threshold between beast and human, stripping away the facade of modern theories sewn 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 they 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 surpassed the influence of human emotional impulses? Can they therefore escape the accusation of greed? Greed lurks malevolently at the threshold between beast and human, stripping away the facade of modern theories sewn together with concepts like "rational self-interest" and "individualism." This vivid and fresh 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, examining the power of greed in its essence reveals the cold and lifeless nature of modern theories. This shows us how, in creating false distinctions between biological and historical perspectives and burying moral crises, we have become so confused about the meaning of growth. Guided by greed, this book reflects on how these meanings can be re-integrated.