Avarice and the Human Psyche

Avarice, the one defining human trait that continues to defy reason and understanding. It is, above all other frailties, the single most destructive force ever conjured by creatures of intellect. And it never fails to deliver.

But avarice does not work alone. It shares the same haunts as covetousness and patriotism. It sleeps with propaganda and altruism. It gives power to greed, war-mongering and bigotry. It is a beast of burden that serves unconditionally and omni-potently. It is omnipresent and resolute. It lives cosily encased in contrived rationale and statistical ambiguities. Winning at all costs, its endearing mantra.

In the Technocratic world, avarice regulates human governance with an iron fist - By subtly playing to one’s guilt about being selfish and or being self-absorbed i.e. perceived peer pressure, technocrats maintain their much sought after mass control. Control of the environment will also ensure that freedom-of-choice is controllably managed.

Generals, in much the same way as Technocrats, achieve similar end-results from the available troop-mass. The only difference are the methods employed: army life existing in a more restrictive atmosphere means that mind-washing techniques are used with subtle impunity i.e. for the good of national security.

At work, in the hands of clever manipulators, it works wonders at keeping the paid-for throngs under control. Implied fear being the most commonly used tool in work circumstances i.e. you’re not a team player, others are happy with the situation, not pulling your weight, possible downsizing in the offing, etc.

Capitalism is its great advocator. Capitalism survives on greed and in ‘keeping up with the Jones’s.’ And greed begets greed begets greed begets greed. An unending voracious cycle that does not care for individuals, masses, religious backgrounds, upbringings or caste. A true vice.

Over the years, many ‘ocracies’ and ‘isms’ have being devised, all with noble intentions and doable goals, only to be deposed soon after its birth - nothing laced with avarice is noble or just, for it serves its own purposes, its own agendas, its own meritocracy.

So, where to from here? Is there an Achilles heel to all this, or is the light at the end of the tunnel that of an oncoming train? In reality, it’s the latter that bears fruit: while the human psyche exists, so too will its propensity for avarice. Irrespective of how it is rationalised, the human spirit will always be self-serving and self-justifying.