The Nature of Greed and Its Destructive Effects on Human Life

Year 2024, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 202 - 226, 15.03.2024

Esra İrk

https://doi.org/10.51702/esoguifd.1393611

Abstract

Greed one of the behaviours that undermining psychological integrity and social adaptation. It is characterized by a constant desire to acquire more, leading to an enduring state of dissatisfaction. A greedy individual harbors the ambition and desire to attain material objects and symbols, elevating them to a glorified status. This fosters a self-interested and selfish perspective, resulting in the development of a personality that compromises values and principles. By disregarding any judgment at the intellectual or religious level, the greedy person determines the course and direction of acquisition based on their own judgments. Such an attitude disrupts the individual's internal dynamic elements and leads to moral and social breakdowns and constraints. Consequently, establishing a genuine and meaningful relationship with others becomes challenging. This article encompasses definitions of greed, discusses the scope and limits of this behavior, and attempts to clarify its position among closely related concepts. Greed is examined from both religious and psycho-social perspectives, with emphasis on its implications for an individual’s life.

Keywords

Psychology of Religion, Greed, Self-Interest, Dissatisfaction, Mental Health

Açgözlülüğün Doğası ve İnsan Hayatına Yıkıcı Etkileri

Abstract

Psikolojik bütünlüğü ve toplumsal dokuyu zayıflatan davranışlardan biri olan açgözlülük, daha fazlasını elde etme iştiyakı ve sürekli bir doyumsuzluk halidir. Açgözlü kimse, maddî nesne ve sembolleri yücelterek onlara ulaşma hırsı ve arzusu içindedir. Bu da çıkarcı ve bencil bir bakış açısını beraberinde getirmekte, değer ve ilkelerinden taviz veren bir kişilik gelişimine yol açmaktadır. Açgözlü kişi, fikrî veya dinî düzeyde herhangi bir yargıyı dikkate almamakta, kendi yargılarına göre edinmenin seyrini ve yönünü belirlemektedir. Böyle bir tutum da bireyin hem kendi dinamik iç unsurlarını bozmakta hem de ahlakî ve sosyal düzeyde kırılmalara ve daralmalara neden olarak diğeriyle doğru ve anlamlı bir ilişki kurmayı zorlaştırmaktadır. Bu makalede açgözlülüğün tanımlarına yer verilmiş, kapsamı ve sınırları ele alınmış ve yakından ilişkili olduğu kavramlar arasındaki yeri netleştirilmeye çalışılmıştır. Açgözlülük, dinî ve psiko-sosyal açıdan incelenmiş ve bu davranışın bireyin hayatına yansımaları üzerinde durulmuştur.

Keywords

Din Psikolojisi, Açgözlülük, Kişisel Çıkar, Doyumsuzluk, Ruh Sağlığı

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