The Soul of Man Under Socialism

[piercehawkeye45]

Originally Posted by sycamore

Socialism and communism always sound so nice, but they never take into account that people (IMO) are by nature greedy. Capitalism has its bad side, but I'll take it over anything else any day.

I have wondered this many times. Are humans naturally greedy or greedy because we have been raised in a capitalistic society, which is greedy by nature?

I would like to know if we could train humans to effectively live in a far left society (anarchism to communism).

[Perry Winkle]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

I have wondered this many times. Are humans naturally greedy or greedy because we have been raised in a capitalistic society, which is greedy by nature?

People tend to take care of themselves and the people close to them first. If grabbing more than your fair share (greed) allows you to take care of things more comfortably, it's natural to do so.

Humans survive by nature, and amassing plenty tends to ensure survival (and cause heart-disease, et al).

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

I have wondered this many times. Are humans naturally greedy or greedy because we have been raised in a capitalistic society, which is greedy by nature?

Pierce, just think back to when you were three or four -- and if that doesn't give you a clear picture, think back to when you were under five and had siblings. How did you react -- mentally as well as physically -- when encouraged, or flat told, to share? Was there not a certain -- resistance?

It's not so unexpected that the living organism seeks its own advantage.

I would like to know if we could train humans to effectively live in a far left society (anarchism to communism).

The short answer is No.

Longer answers may be found even in fiction writing: LeGuin's The Dispossessed, Zamyatin's We. Cautionary tales all. Over on StrikeTheRoot, a libertarian BBS, there's a quote bandied about whose author at present escapes me though I'll see if Google can net him: "Communism -- interesting idea. Wrong species."

Sure enough, StrikeTheRoot yields the name of Edmund O. Wilson. Other quotes cite either E.O. Wilson or Edward Wilson... Googley moogley lickety split... more careful checking in a little bit...

Sigh... Google's leaving me none the wiser. It doesn't help that there was an Edward O. Wilson, famous in entomology, and with a name similar enough that the two were indeed confused from time to time. To get to the bottom of this minor point means doing more digging, and likely in a different hole.