Philip Cardella/Alamy
Greed has contributed to massive wealth inequality. What are its evolutionary and psychological bases? What good is greed? (continued)
Gary Trethewey
Leigh Creek, South Australia
First consider the use of the word “psychological”, juxtaposed with “evolutionary”. Psychology, like physiology, biochemistry and biomechanics, is a name for the study of a mechanism that lets us function in the world. If a mechanism works, it is passed on. Thus, it has evolved. So psychology isn’t a stand-alone phenomenon, although the science of psychology might help us to focus on the nexus between needs and behaviours.
“ Probably every organism has evolved to do everything possible to maximise acquiring and storing resources “
It is always easier to study animals and plants, especially ugly ones that don’t have fur and cute eyes. We can then look fairly dispassionately at the dynamics of getting, holding on to and using resources, often at a cost to other organisms. When competing for food, shelter or mates, someone always loses.
But you are obviously looking at humans, using constructs like wealth inequality, good and greed. That complicates things, and our dispassionate analysis falls foul of notions of ethics, fairness, rights, dignity and the like.
Throughout evolutionary history, resources haven’t been dependable. Probably every organism has evolved to do everything possible to maximise acquiring and storing resources. But an overabundance of food, shelter or mates is rarely a problem, so most organisms don’t have prominent off switches. If an organism – or a human – has access to excess resources, they will acquire them, past any foreseeable need.
In humans and some other animals, sharing resources can signify power. The person who gives gifts gains respect, increasing their chance of survival. One must be able to acquire and control abundant resources, and distribute them only where it is advantageous – that is, to people who will provide other resources in return.
I note that in popular discourse, people invoke pejorative diagnostic words like “psychopath”, “narcissist” or “kleptocrat” to express disapproval of those who take resources we want. These terms actually describe people who do what we all do, but in an extreme way.
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