Quote:
Originally Posted by DiscoDan  Comparing these two cases, we see that money provides positive utility for only the person in the latter scenario. You can only learn to appreciate (and, thus, derive happiness from) money only if you've had a lack of it in the past. Therefore, we should not look upon being poor as something "bad" (just as we shouldn't look at being rich as something bad). It is merely one step in the process of adding to our future "happiness potential". |
Well DiscoDan, I do appreciate your argument of using contrast to show how money can be a motivation and driving force which leads to the pursuit of happiness.
At the same time, I also feel that in the case of the rich man, if he has been taught since young the values of money, and what it represents, like what
Dani so aptly put it across that money is only useful as a representation of value, then he won't be any different than the poor man! Because he would have also learnt to appreciate money the way the poor man does, but from a different perspective, as he realised the power money brings that can benefit so many people's lives.
Therefore, when one has reached the stage where money isn't a concern at all, then what other factors can make him hungry for success as well? Success is defined uniquely, not necessary the fame and social standing that we're all accustomed to.
Poor people may be driven by money, so that they can get out of poverty. Rich people can equally be very driven too, and they do that for a different cause, that is to help more people. So, I guess it's a matter of beliefs about what money can do.