# What is greed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 5, 2017, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523 "2017-07-05T04:30:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/21 "2017-07-05T21:35:27Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I don’t think that’s necessarily true. Suppose I really love paintings. To the point where my desire to own them is insatiable. So I’m constantly commissioning artists to create new paintings for me. > > My motivation is clearly greed. But how does my greed hurt anyone? By acting on my greed, I’m supporting the work of a number of artists. > > And I’m not selfish. I stage exhibitions so other people can enjoy viewing the paintings I own. I don’t even dictate what subjects the artists I hire should paint. So the overall result of my obsessive greed is there’s more art in the world. Plus several artists have more money. I have less money but I’m happy because I prefer to own the paintings rather than the money I spent on them. I don’t see how anyone is worse off due to my greed. It depends on what you did to get the money to commision all those paintings. I could see how people could have been hurt or left wanting if you got the money through less than fair means. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/22 "2017-07-05T21:35:51Z")
**What is greed?** Five feet of heaven with a trust account? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/23 "2017-07-05T21:55:22Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > That sounds like a circular definition. I would posit that the hurting of others, intentionally or unintentionally, is a fundamental component of greed. So, your scenario does not seem to meet that condition. I could use your argument as its own counter-argument. If you define greed as including harm, then obviously all greed is harmful - you’ve put it in the definition. I disagree with this definition - I feel you can be greedy without harm. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/24 "2017-07-05T21:58:55Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > It depends on what you did to get the money to commision all those paintings. I could see how people could have been hurt or left wanting if you got the money through less than fair means. If the means whereby I obtain my money is immoral then those those means are immoral. If how I spend my money is immoral then that spending is immoral. But the two are separate. I can obtain money morally and spend it immorally or vice versa. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/25 "2017-07-05T22:05:24Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > If the means whereby I obtain my money is immoral then those those means are immoral. If how I spend my money is immoral then that spending is immoral. But the two are separate. I can obtain money morally and spend it immorally or vice versa. Then that is not greed, that is just opportunity cost, if you are just using the money that you already earn to buy them. You are going without things because you prefer to have paintings. If you did things to increase your money supply in order to get more paintings, then that would be greed. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/26 "2017-07-05T22:27:56Z")
In **Little Nemo** ’s example, the “desire to own them is insatiable.” That means that, sooner or later, the desire to acquire more paintings will outstrip the ability to afford them. What happens then? Do you spend money you _can’t_ afford? Do you steal or manipulate to get more? Or do you practice self-restraint and live with the realization that you’re not going to get all the paintings you want? Maybe it’s just _unchecked_ greed that’s harmful. To be rendered harmless, it has to be combined with positive character traits like self-restraint. Although then it comes with its own punishment: never feeling satisfied and content. Greed is like an addiction. We’ve all at least heard of addicts who will do anything, no matter who it hurts, to feed their addiction. We’ve also heard of “functioning -holics.” ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/27 "2017-07-05T22:58:44Z")
I always thought greed was wanting something and not caring if taking it causes harm to others. Like it’s okay to want a new car. It’s not okay to take advantage of employees by underpaying them to get that new car. Be less greedy, pay people fairly, and get a decent used car. It’s okay to want better things for yourself, but not when you’re taking it unfairly. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/28 "2017-07-05T23:43:14Z")
Wanted more than you can ever need or use just for its own sake. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/29 "2017-07-06T00:25:52Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > I always thought greed was wanting something and not caring if taking it causes harm to others. Like it’s okay to want a new car. It’s not okay to take advantage of employees by underpaying them to get that new car. Be less greedy, pay people fairly, and get a decent used car. It’s okay to want better things for yourself, but not when you’re taking it unfairly. How does one underpay employees? Seems like if you’re paying below market rates then you’ll have a hard time finding anyone to hire. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/30 "2017-07-06T00:48:32Z")
Wanting something just for yourself, regardless of the impact it has on others. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/31 "2017-07-06T01:17:52Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > How does one underpay employees? Seems like if you’re paying below market rates then you’ll have a hard time finding anyone to hire. Gee I don’t know. I guess nobody is underpaid anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/32 "2017-07-06T01:21:43Z")
I think greedy people have an oversized idea of what they need for happiness. They are driven much more by appetite than by hunger. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/33 "2017-07-06T02:26:25Z")
What is greed? Oh baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more. Woah woah woaha wohooya woaha wohooya, woooh [dance] ---
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/34 "2017-07-06T02:50:21Z")
Greed is when someone else has more than you do, and you have to justify why that person has it. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/35 "2017-07-06T02:59:29Z")
> [@davida03801](#): > > Greed is when someone else has more than you do, and you have to justify why that person has it. That’s envy. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/36 "2017-07-06T03:09:03Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > Gee I don’t know. I guess nobody is underpaid anywhere. Define underpaid. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/37 "2017-07-06T03:38:06Z")
> [@drewder](#): > > Define underpaid. > > Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk Dictionary says “to pay less than is deserved or usual.” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/38 "2017-07-06T04:11:24Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > In **Little Nemo** ’s example, the “desire to own them is insatiable.” That means that, sooner or later, the desire to acquire more paintings will outstrip the ability to afford them. I don’t think that necessarily follows. An insatiable desire for paintings just means that I will never reach a point where I will tell myself _“Okay, I have enough paintings now. I don’t need to buy any more.”_ My desire for more paintings might be never-ending - but that doesn’t mean it’s increasing. Maybe I buy a new painting every day. That’s not a financial problem if I can afford to buy a new painting every day. I could be like Charles Foster Kane; I spend a million dollars a year on paintings and at that rate I’ll have to give up my hobby … in a hundred years. ---
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/39 "2017-07-06T04:59:23Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > Dictionary says “to pay less than is deserved or usual.” The value of anything, including human labor, is the price that a willing buyer and a willing seller meet to make a willing sale. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523/40 "2017-07-06T05:29:41Z")
That is a typical textbook economic explanation of value. I disagree and think economics is bullshit science. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-greed/790523.md?page=3)