Greed Is Good
CRN 84736
PROF DAVID HODGES
ESL Writing 4
SUMMER 2010
ESL-026-E01
Direct and Indirect Citation
LAB DAY MONDAY
Using Citation in an Argument
Greed is Good
Phil Collings
Greed is typically considered a major source of evil and the primary cause of stealing, hoarding, plundering, cheating and war, just to name a few of its unfortunate results. But when it’s not ruining the world, greed can also be good.
For instance, greed is good because it is the most important incentive for people to work hard, get a good education, start a business, or invest in a company. The desire to earn money and accumulate goods and property makes people productive, contributing members of society. In return for their efforts, people are paid a salary, become more educated, and if they’re lucky, build wealth so they can live a prosperous, comfortable, fulfilled life.
Unfortunately, the desire to accumulate also leads to three types of bad greed.
First, after some people have collected a large enough personal wealth, they retire, thus making them no longer productive members of society, but instead people who use more resources than they contribute. Sure, they may invest their wealth in stocks, bonds, real estate, and other financial investments; however, they are selfishly idle instead of contributing more to society. Of course, not every retired person is capable of traditional work, but they could still contribute. For example, instead of playing golf with other retirees in Florida, they could babysit their grandchildren or even their their grandchildren to fish or knit. In other words, it is all right to retire from work but do not to retire from society. Anyone physically and mentally capable of working, should do so.
Secondly, some people accumulate wealth long after they already have enough money for the rest of their lives. They leave so much inheritance that even their children and grandchildren cannot possibly use all of it. This is why some
PROF DAVID HODGES
ESL Writing 4
SUMMER 2010
ESL-026-E01
Direct and Indirect Citation
LAB DAY MONDAY
Using Citation in an Argument
Greed is Good
Phil Collings
Greed is typically considered a major source of evil and the primary cause of stealing, hoarding, plundering, cheating and war, just to name a few of its unfortunate results. But when it’s not ruining the world, greed can also be good.
For instance, greed is good because it is the most important incentive for people to work hard, get a good education, start a business, or invest in a company. The desire to earn money and accumulate goods and property makes people productive, contributing members of society. In return for their efforts, people are paid a salary, become more educated, and if they’re lucky, build wealth so they can live a prosperous, comfortable, fulfilled life.
Unfortunately, the desire to accumulate also leads to three types of bad greed.
First, after some people have collected a large enough personal wealth, they retire, thus making them no longer productive members of society, but instead people who use more resources than they contribute. Sure, they may invest their wealth in stocks, bonds, real estate, and other financial investments; however, they are selfishly idle instead of contributing more to society. Of course, not every retired person is capable of traditional work, but they could still contribute. For example, instead of playing golf with other retirees in Florida, they could babysit their grandchildren or even their their grandchildren to fish or knit. In other words, it is all right to retire from work but do not to retire from society. Anyone physically and mentally capable of working, should do so.
Secondly, some people accumulate wealth long after they already have enough money for the rest of their lives. They leave so much inheritance that even their children and grandchildren cannot possibly use all of it. This is why some