The “It costs them everything, and gives them nothing,” quote for hoarders is just as applicable to the super-wealthy. I know some. Their numbers are in my phone. To a person, each and every one, is just as miserable as the hoarder. Money “gives them nothing.”
I think you are right, some are caught in a pattern that does not give them anything, like hoarders. But there are other and more suitable ways of describing this phenomenon. I believe it was Montesquieu who described some people as “natural aggressors”. All humans do seek wealth, power, or status, but the “natural aggressors” desire it more than others. If I recall correctly, he believed that society needed protections against these people.
A natural aggressor seeks wealth, power, or status to sate a lust for it, much like the hoarders. But where the hoarder acts irrational, the natural aggressor is perfectly rational in his behaviour: we live in a society where wealth, power and status are celebrated. To hoard old newspapers is not celebrated. To hoard money way above what you or your children ever will be able to spend, is celebrated. To hoard power, way beyond your limitations as a “ruler” is celebrated. To gain super-celebrity status is celebrated. From we are old enough to watch TV, understand what “shopping” is, listen in to conversations about the rich, powerful and renown, our souls are filled with the idea that wealth, power, and status is something we should strive to acquire. Thus, the natural aggressors behave in a rational way. “Rationality” is not the same as “morality”. Rationality does not inform us of right and wrong, but rather what is logical. Neither is “rational behaviour” the same as “informed behaviour”, because when you behave rational you are using the knowledge you have at that time.
That is why I agree to both Caitlin and you: They are not hoarders, because they behave rationally, but their riches, power of fame bring them little joy, but instead of changing their ways, they strive harder to hoard more, in the belief that “more of the same” will give me satisfaction. They need some sort of personal redemption, but that is not my concern.
My concern is, how do we shape our society so that we do not raise our children in the faith that wealth, power, and status is the goal in life? Clearly, we need to look for something beyond the strictly materialistic ideology of the modern, western culture.
The “It costs them everything, and gives them nothing,” quote for hoarders is just as applicable to the super-wealthy. I know some. Their numbers are in my phone. To a person, each and every one, is just as miserable as the hoarder. Money “gives them nothing.”
I think you are right, some are caught in a pattern that does not give them anything, like hoarders. But there are other and more suitable ways of describing this phenomenon. I believe it was Montesquieu who described some people as “natural aggressors”. All humans do seek wealth, power, or status, but the “natural aggressors” desire it more than others. If I recall correctly, he believed that society needed protections against these people.
A natural aggressor seeks wealth, power, or status to sate a lust for it, much like the hoarders. But where the hoarder acts irrational, the natural aggressor is perfectly rational in his behaviour: we live in a society where wealth, power and status are celebrated. To hoard old newspapers is not celebrated. To hoard money way above what you or your children ever will be able to spend, is celebrated. To hoard power, way beyond your limitations as a “ruler” is celebrated. To gain super-celebrity status is celebrated. From we are old enough to watch TV, understand what “shopping” is, listen in to conversations about the rich, powerful and renown, our souls are filled with the idea that wealth, power, and status is something we should strive to acquire. Thus, the natural aggressors behave in a rational way. “Rationality” is not the same as “morality”. Rationality does not inform us of right and wrong, but rather what is logical. Neither is “rational behaviour” the same as “informed behaviour”, because when you behave rational you are using the knowledge you have at that time.
That is why I agree to both Caitlin and you: They are not hoarders, because they behave rationally, but their riches, power of fame bring them little joy, but instead of changing their ways, they strive harder to hoard more, in the belief that “more of the same” will give me satisfaction. They need some sort of personal redemption, but that is not my concern.
My concern is, how do we shape our society so that we do not raise our children in the faith that wealth, power, and status is the goal in life? Clearly, we need to look for something beyond the strictly materialistic ideology of the modern, western culture.
Excellent.
I dunno, the seemingly happiest people I know are high functioning sociopaths.