> Difference between greed and legitimate self interest
Dear Marc1,
1. Personally, I do not want to go into a discourse discussion on Greed in the Human Society.
2. For me, one of the basic fundmentals beliefs in my own Christian faith, is that, "man is fallible and therefore whatever human society will evolve, it will still fall short of perfection despite the best endeavours, whether it is through the UN or otherwise.". This is not withstanding the basic differences and the previaling many different varied political views between the various human groups and countries.
3. Morally speaking, to be "greedy" is bad. This is written in the Bible and as what most of us are being taught. Too much of good things can also be a bad thing in itself for an individual, for example, enjoying the food through over-eating, resulting in one's obseity.
4. Therefore, for me, the actual motivations for human actions is important. The Bible clearly states that an individual has already committed a sin by simply looking at a woman and lusting after her in his heart, not withstanding that a rape or molest has yet to be been committed. So is the nature of greed within one human heart, as is seen in the Bible. This is the highest standard of human morality if we can honestly allow themselves to be measured against with. We will naturally know clearly and exactly what is in our own hearts if we will allow the Holy Spirit to quietly speak to us, without having to make any human excuses for ourselves.
5. Thus, for me, fundamanentally speaking, Greed does NOT need to hurt others before it can qualify as" bad", officially. Any actions motivated by greed is questionable and needs to be carefully examined.
6. As for those members who believe that "greed" is bad only when it hurts others, I think that we are talking about our human conscience and value systems, which are subjective and relative in detailed specifcs, though we may agree with one another fundamentally.
7. To put this issue back into perpsective, irrespective of what the forumites say here, Always_Learning will ultimately have to decide for himself who he really want to listen to;- his own human conscience, his close friend or what our forumites have said here. I further believe that irrespective of his decision, his own heart will still tell him that greed is bad emotively speaking;- not withstanding that it may not be rational to our human minds to accept.
8. In this sense, I am not sure exactly what Always_Learning hopes to achieve through this thread. Yes, we can provide the emotional support to him with our own views especially pro-alternative views, but are we really helping him or confusing him or even causing him to "err" more by "legitmising" his present actions?
9. Always_Learning, please tell us what you really need.
10. Thank you.
regards,
Kenneth KOH
Dear Marc1,
1. Personally, I do not want to go into a discourse discussion on Greed in the Human Society.
2. For me, one of the basic fundmentals beliefs in my own Christian faith, is that, "man is fallible and therefore whatever human society will evolve, it will still fall short of perfection despite the best endeavours, whether it is through the UN or otherwise.". This is not withstanding the basic differences and the previaling many different varied political views between the various human groups and countries.
3. Morally speaking, to be "greedy" is bad. This is written in the Bible and as what most of us are being taught. Too much of good things can also be a bad thing in itself for an individual, for example, enjoying the food through over-eating, resulting in one's obseity.
4. Therefore, for me, the actual motivations for human actions is important. The Bible clearly states that an individual has already committed a sin by simply looking at a woman and lusting after her in his heart, not withstanding that a rape or molest has yet to be been committed. So is the nature of greed within one human heart, as is seen in the Bible. This is the highest standard of human morality if we can honestly allow themselves to be measured against with. We will naturally know clearly and exactly what is in our own hearts if we will allow the Holy Spirit to quietly speak to us, without having to make any human excuses for ourselves.
5. Thus, for me, fundamanentally speaking, Greed does NOT need to hurt others before it can qualify as" bad", officially. Any actions motivated by greed is questionable and needs to be carefully examined.
6. As for those members who believe that "greed" is bad only when it hurts others, I think that we are talking about our human conscience and value systems, which are subjective and relative in detailed specifcs, though we may agree with one another fundamentally.
7. To put this issue back into perpsective, irrespective of what the forumites say here, Always_Learning will ultimately have to decide for himself who he really want to listen to;- his own human conscience, his close friend or what our forumites have said here. I further believe that irrespective of his decision, his own heart will still tell him that greed is bad emotively speaking;- not withstanding that it may not be rational to our human minds to accept.
8. In this sense, I am not sure exactly what Always_Learning hopes to achieve through this thread. Yes, we can provide the emotional support to him with our own views especially pro-alternative views, but are we really helping him or confusing him or even causing him to "err" more by "legitmising" his present actions?
9. Always_Learning, please tell us what you really need.
10. Thank you.
regards,
Kenneth KOH
