Throughout history, and especially after Western civilization, the standards of living continue to proliferate which generates a sense of unworthiness, greed, and lack of contentment among citizens. In Alain de Botton’s chapter “Equality, Expectation, and Envy” of his book Status Anxiety, he states that no matter how much we gain throughout life, we will always feel inferior to someone else. From this perspective, greed is a trap that everyone falls in that only leads to a prosperity in few circumstances. To support his ideas, Botton discusses topics such as the mental process of these feelings of high expectation, what causes humanity to feel this way, and the different variables that determine how individuals feel (25, 26). When does …show more content…
one decide that they have succeeded enough in life? Does everyone live their whole life striving for more, or can one eventually reach a point of contentment? These two questions are what Button is contemplating, and then goes on to write, “such feelings of deprivation may seem less peculiar if we consider the psychology behind the way we decide precisely how much is enough” (25). People rarely compare themselves to the most elite, but always compare themselves to a group of individuals much like themselves. If one person in their reference group has more of anything, then everyone else feels that they must compete to earn the same amount or even more. Reference groups may be the main source of envy, but the origin of this division of classes date back before the Roman empire .
In this time when Christianity was on the rise, it was understood that one’s class and accomplishments were predetermined by God. This reasoning leads Christians to accept their low ranks and poverty, because if Christians did not then they were going against God’s will. Christians of this time believed that no matter what state their lives were in, if they lived the way the Bible taught, they were rewarded a bountiful eternal life. The order of His celestial kingdom resembled a monarchy and, “Just as God wielded absolute power over all creation, from the angels down to the smallest toads, so, too, his appointed rulers on earth were understood to preside over a society where God had given everyone his and her place, from the nobleman down to the farm-hand” …show more content…
(28). Mind-sets began to shift from divine separation to a more political outlook. After many years and publications of famous seventeenth-century philosophers, people started to believe that this world was given to everyone equally. Although, the feelings were not always the same in different areas. In New England the upper class believed that everyone was equal, but the class of immigrants struggling to survive did not agree. They thought they had been lied to because all they ever heard about America were the few stories of immense wealth (27, 28). Different feelings towards the subject of success can also be because of different levels of determination.
Someone can grow up in a family with very little, and because of that be very determined to succeed and have an exceptional lifestyle. On the other hand, someone can grow up with everything they could ever want, and because of that have a strong desire to continue having a similar lifestyle. Many people have a strong desire to be the best and that is what causes them to feel like they must compete against their reference group. Some people might have the same determination but are afraid of failure; the fear of failure lead some to never try in their life, but they still feel envy towards others with more (35,
36). The common sense of envy, dissatisfaction, and discontentment have been around quite some time and will likely be around forever. It is up to the reader to decide whether happiness is measured by wealth, or contentment in life. Although most people today have more than their ancestors ever did, some people will never be truly happy in life. Botton expressed, “We may be happy enough with little if little is what we have come to expect, and we may be miserable with much when we have been taught to desire everything” (44).
“...this religion is saying that every person, man, woman, child, slave, barbarian, no matter who, is made in the image of God and is therefore of enormous value in the eyes of God…”(Document C). “Now the Christian community, as we have it particularly in the letters of Paul, … says in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither male or female, neither slave nor free… . Here is a community that invites you, which makes you an equal with all other members of that community,” (Document D). This was beneficial to a wide range of people, especially peasants because they could have a part in society and be equal to their Christian peers.
Growing up in a more privileged environment things may come easier to one. But one should not be surprised of those that are in a less fortunate situation that are not able to reach certain heights, compared to someone from a more privileged back ground. Even if one is not in the best environment, they are able to make a choice to keep fighting for a better life. In the podcast “Three Miles” that is exactly the attitude described from a girl name Raquel, on the other hand Melanie froze her life doing what she thought she deserved. Though Raquel and Melanie had similar backgrounds in that they were raised in the same poor neighborhood and attended the same indigent high school, in the end Raquel was able to succeed in her life after getting denied a Posse scholarship, whereas Melanie worked in a supermarket for ten years, feeling that was as good as it was going to get.
People from lower classes try to achieve success but tend to struggle depending upon their foundation. The problem that people don’t want see is that we all want to become successful, and have the capability to do so but are just restricted by the lack of income.
In this study two sets of random strangers were playing game of monopoly. Monopoly is a game where every player has same opportunity and to win you need luck and skills. One participant (rich player) had better chance of winning the game. They were given more money, able to roll two dice and have more mobility throughout the game board. Whereas, the other participant (poor player), had less money, only could roll one dice and did not have same about of mobility compare to other player. From Piff’s study it shows, even when the game was openly rid the rich player felt sense of entitlement, they eat more pretzels, they felt they deserve to win as well, did not show any empathy to the poor players whom have little chance of winning. This just show, lack opportunity can be setback for many Americans who lack wealth and social mobility. Whereas, those lucky few who has opportunity to do better for themselves. Plus, it show who rich can become greedy and lack understanding not everyone had the same start in life they
and it manifests itself in a multitude of cultural and social ways.” The author discussed the problems that occur from economic and social classes. The purpose of this argument is to debate on what kind of people will be successful in life. Everyone has a shot at being successful, and that they do with it is
A well-known expression is that money can’t buy happiness, yet people fantasize of winning the lottery, living in their dream house, and possessing enough tangible objects to feel satisfied with their lives. Most are under the preconceived notion that the absence of wealth and power translates to hardship and despair. This, however, is not the case, because a self-effacing lifestyle is not an indication of a lower quality of life, and often is better than one of great fortune. People yearn to have the financial independence and capabilities of those in higher ranking positions, and are willing to abandon their morals and own personal well-being if it means being successful. It seems that by reaching a level of wealth in which money is no longer
saying I am better than the next person, but the areas we grow up in and the people
Society today is split in many different ways: the smart and the dumb, the pretty and the ugly, the popular and the awkward, and of course the rich and the poor. This key difference has led to many areas of conflict among the population. The rich and the poor often have different views on issues, and have different problems within their lives. Moral decay and materialism are two issues prevalent among the wealthy, while things such as socio-economic class conflict and the American dream may be more important to those without money. Ethics and responsibilities are an area of thought for both classes, with noblesse oblige leaning more towards the wealthy.
In The Spirit Level, Wilkinson and Pickett’s research shows that there is a strong connection between a rich country's level of economic inequality and its social consequences. They write, “The problems in rich countries are not caused by the society not being rich enough (or even by being too rich) but by the scale of material differences between people within each society being too big. What matters is where we stand in relation to others in our own society” (pg. 25). Status is measured and symbolized by indicators of conspicuous consumption in an economically unequal society. Using the theory of the social evaluative threat to drive their analysis they show how being status-conscious in a highly unequal society produces a social anxiety
All individuals have different paths and life goals. It is true that individuals may start out with more advantages than others, but it should not be used as a limitation to others. Mantsios lists several realities discussing the different levels of opportunity for Americans. In these realities, he describes that wealth and our economic status is important in order to reach success. In one of his realities, Mantsios discussed the privileges within inheritance laws stating: “…Americans do not have an equal opportunity to succeed, […]. Inheritance laws provide built-in privileges to the offspring of the wealthy and add to the likelihood of their economic success while handicapping the chances for everyone else” (392). It appears as if he only believes success comes out of extreme wealth, and if someone is not, they’re disadvantaged and will ultimately be less successful than others. Mantsios talks only in extremes; he discusses the very rich, the very poor and how each affects each other, while simultaneously arguing that there is little to no chance for those in the middle or lower class to grow and become successful. In contrast, Jay-Z discusses how he did not let the obstacles he faced, or his economic status limit him. He is quoted saying, “don’t let [society] diminish your accomplishment or dim your shine” (Packer 361). Here, he is taking a much more positive approach, stating that individuals should not limit their success based on their social class. Class should not be a tool used to limit individuals and their success. To say that an individual born into the upper class will just coast through life without hardship is untrue. In the same respect, to say that an individual born into lower or middle class will have no chance at success, is just as untrue. We all face different levels of hardship in life, therefore condemning an individual because they have a leg up or down in
Another natural instinct of human beings is to compete. Willingly or unwillingly, conscious or unconscious much of our life is constantly in competition with each other over our knowledge, ability, money, power and prestige. We are born with the obsession for winning. We want more than other people have. Everyone in our life is an enemy in different fields. Thus, due to self-interest, sympathy is mixed with schadenfreude. We feel good when seeing other people suffer from misfortune because we sense a negative effect on other’s status can possibly be a chance to level up our own status. People definitely feel less sympathetic towards people that are more successful then themselves, because of the natural instinct of jealousy. We want to see others do well, but never better than us. We still can strive to be good people, but there is always the darker side of human nature. People who watch shows like the “Real Housewives” or “The Bachelor” is appeal by the combination of jealousy and schadenfreude. In the shows these character are rich and far richer than most of the people that’s watching it and seeing these people fight around and struggle with their life even with all the money that they have make us feel better. It also tells us that more money do not bring you more happiness, instead there could be even more
Instead they rely completely on money to be happy. People often do not appreciate what they have, and they feel like they deserve better, and they complain instead of making the best of what they have. It is not necessary to be rich to enjoy life. Often those who have everything tend to live miserably. People can become too attached to money to the point that they forget about enjoying life and caring for their family. The theme of materialism is shown throughout the story of “The Rocking Horse Winner” to explain how being too attached to money can ruin people’s lives.
...y are bombarded from birth that they should desire and pursue money, power, fame, and success. Without achieving these goals they are seen as failures. Strain theories have shown that placing too much emphasis on individual success and the pursuit of happiness through the accumulation of power and wealth, can lead to an increase in crime.
We have all had that feeling of envy, the strong desire to obtain or wanting something that someone else has. Whether, it is someone’s traits, status, abilities, or situation we have all had that feeling at least once. Envy is a curse of us human beings, although being envious is quite ugly, it also very blinding. Feeling envious allows us to feel and want what someone else had because we have some insecurity about the exact thing we desire however; we never see the great things in which we posses and qualities in which are unique to us. “But it’s what everybody wants. It’s the nasty secret at large in the world. It’s the unspoken tidal desire in every room and on every street. It’s the unspoken, the soundless whisper….millions upon millions of people longing hopelessly forever to stop being whatever they are and be beautiful” (1108).
In contrast to other feelings, envy is something humans rarely admit to, even to themselves. People readily admit to loving or hating someone or something, that they are sad or angry, but hardly anyone ever admits to being envious. Imagine someone who is well respected, well known, attractive, or has more money. Anyone wanting what another possesses, feels envious. Idealizing another makes one envious. Envy is directed towards others wanting their qualities, success, or possession. Envy is a feeling of insecurity that conveys strong senses of dissatisfaction with one’s life, possessiveness, and materialism. Shown in many ways, envy is an emotion everyone feels at some point in life. In some instances, envy can result in resentment towards