Is greed good?
It has been several centuries since greed was first considered as the main source of evil. Greed, in particular, is the reason to such events in the world as theft, robbery and human treachery. However, greed also can be a good trait as it is the most important incentive for people to work, get education or run a new business. This makes people more productive and active members of society, and over time these “greedy” people achieve their goals making their lives more comfortable and plus with a great amount of money in their bank accounts. So these points of views lead to a question: is greed good or bad? Throughout this essay I will try examine both views before reaching a concrete decision.
On the one hand, it has long been noted that human greed is the most powerful engine of progress. As the founder of liberal economic science Adam Smith wrote, “the mirage of personal well-being and high social rank awakens people's zeal and keeps them in constant movement. And despite their natural egoism and greed, the rich, acting in their own interests, share with poor fruits of all improvements.” Furthermore, no less observant thinker Montaigne considered greed "no less excusable than ambition.” Indeed, if we take a look at history, we can notice that all the improvements in the world such as economy growth in various countries, evolutions in technology and scientific development were driven by greed whether it is for money, knowledge or freedom. In the film Wall Street (1987), Gordon Gekko says: “Greed, for the lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind” (Stone). One thing that’s worth mentioning here is that greed doesn’t always have to be about wanting more money or power; it is just one side of the coin. Greed also can be for knowledge and freedom. We can take inventions of Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and other sharp minds’ greed for knowledge has led to inventions thanks to which life is now much easier than it used...
