Example Of Greed And Incentives

1178 Words3 Pages

In todays world we sometimes see greed and incentives in two very different ways. This was even a problem that people thought about in the 1770’s with Adam Smith. He had many different thoughts on the two words, and how they affected human nature. Non-the less it was not just about humans but also about the economic stand point that the words showed. These two words, Greed and Incentives, lead the world wondering what they actually mean, the status of human nature, and finally the human love or for ones self interest in the free market. Greed and Incentives Like what was said earlier many people see greed and incentives in very different ways. Greed is known for being defined as intense and selfish desire for something. This something could …show more content…

For example lets take the butcher for instance, he is working to cut up meat for people to buy. He is not preparing meat just for you to enjoy, but to make money to better his life overall. This is showing that the greed we have to make our lives better we do things for others in order to do make better for ourselves. I believe however, in the time Smith said this quote many people at that time were not greedy as we are today. I say this because at that time many people did not rely on other people for things we buy today such as clothing and food. Also the fact that people today grow up thinking they need the next best thing. “Greed is a constant of human nature” (Epstein). I remember growing up with Wal-Mart clothes, but all my friends had Hollister clothes, so I had to have the next best thing. However, human nature in Smith’s time they were not as friendly as we are today. Today if we see someone who is homeless we typically decide to help him or her out or not. I am not saying that people back then did not help each other out, but this was a time where the revolutionary war broke out so people were on edge with each other politically, therefore not helping each other. Now these days we have changed for the

More about Example Of Greed And Incentives

Open Document