What the heck is greed and why do we have it? Is it an emotion, a desire, an attitude, a character trait, or a learned habit? Is it universal to all humans, or does it only affect a percentage of the population? Does it lie dormant in us all and only burst forth when the environmental conditions are ripe? Or is it true that some people don’t have a greedy bone in their body? Is it healthier to have a wee bit of greed blowing our sails?
What Darwinian purpose does greed serve, if any? Is it an absolute evil, or does it have a positive side as the fictional character, Gordon Gekko, claims in the movie “Wall Street” when he says, “Greed, for 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”?
Greed cuts across all human differences. It manifests in the minds of the impoverished and disenfranchised as readily as it does within the minds of the rich and powerful. The size of the reward is of no consequence. Is reward the proper term? If one gains through greed do they not also lose something? Friendship? Family? Loyalty? Trust? Do the greedy have a diminished interest in human bonding?
Parents of more than one child, even twins, may notice that one child is more prone to greed, or selfishness, than the other, always snatching the last slice of pizza, coveting the corner piece of cake, hoarding toys, refusing to share, manipulating for excessive gain, even undermining the welfare of a sibling to garner more favor. If twins live under identical conditions with balanced love, and one becomes more selfish than the other, does that mean that greed is a coin toss, a creature of nature rather than nurture?
Are humans the only greedy creatures, or does greed exist among animals? An alpha bear may chase other starving bears away from a kill, but usually only until his belly is full, then the others may feast. When pigs rush to the trough, they do not form an orderly line and take turns. They push, shove, and climb over each other to be first and eat the most. However, satiated pigs do not fend of starving pigs from a meal’s remains. They step away. Bears do not get their fill and then drag the remaining carcass into a cave and stand guard.
Of course, bears and pigs are not representative of the entire animal kingdom. Other creatures show different traits. The wolverine is a distinct example. It is a vicious predatory weasel than can fend off a wolf pack. Some call it the skunk bear because it stinks and its spray is noxious and highly acidic, which accelerates the spoiling process. Often a wolverine once satiated from a kill will spray the remains. It seldom returns for second helpings. It sprays to prevent other animals the opportunity to dine and thrive to become future competitors. That behavior fits well into the definition of greed. Its scientific name is gulo gulo, Latin for glutton.
Knowing that greed does exist in the animal kingdom bring justification? Even if birds, bees, elephants and fleas don’t do it, does the wolverine prove that greed is an involuntary element of our life construct? Are we helpless against it? Can we evolve out of it? Greed can be nurtured or condemned, but can it be stopped?
Politics, commerce, and religion are powerful global forces for creating and maintaining functional societies. Mansion ministers aside, religion often condemns greed. Buddhists claim suffering stems from desire. Ascetic monks quell greed to get closer to spiritual contentment. Christians add greed to their list of the seven deadly sins. Many of the rings in Dante’s Inferno are dedicated to the sins of greed.
Does greed in commerce and politics strengthen or weaken a society? Are greedy corporate boards and politicians like wolverines? Do they constantly and chronically punish the hoi polloi and obstruct progress not only for personal gain but to prevent any semblance of empowerment among the masses, the educated middle classes, who could grow stronger if given any sustenance, thus becoming a more formidable future foe?
Are arrogance and superiority forms of greed? Is the inflexible insistence to always be right in every conflict an act of greed? My way or the highway? Might makes right?
What is the greatest threat, the biggest obstacle, hindering mankind in its pursuit of happiness? Is it sloth? Is it ignorance? Is it hopelessness? Is it violence and brutality and the callous disregard for human life, as we are currently seeing manifest in acts of terrorism in countries all over the world? Are terrorists driven by dogma or vengeance? Are terrorists driven by greed? Or are terrorists greed’s most violent and extreme foes? How do we stop them? Will increasing our violence against them force them to behave?
If we discovered that greed was the culprit, would the greedy back off to preserve the sanctity of life the world over? Or would they play wolverine and piss in the well?

Steve Gibbs is a retired Benicia High School teacher who has written a column for The Herald since 1985.

Sharing is caring!