hypothetical genetic situation

[encephalon]

Okay.. let me first say that I'm not saying this is true. It's hypothetical.

Let's say that there is a genetic trait that predisposes a person to be greedy (which I consider an illness), much like people are predisposed to schizophrenia or depression. That means, if something along these lines existed, that a communist society would never really be able to get rid of the "greed" factor that people like to attribute so much to human nature, at least without euthanizing anyone with that particular gene (and then there's still the chance of mutation)--which I find a rather distateful prospect.

What exactly would be done with these people, if it can't be treated by behavioral modes instituted by society (like many cases of schizophrenia)? If greed is an illness, and can't be treated behaviorally, what exactly should be done with them? Any proposals on how such a matter would be handled (or any behaviorally incurable illness, really)?

[VukBZ2005]

We would try of course to make a cure for this "greed" illness -
if one does exists. We would try to find ways to supress this gene -
through medcines and drugs of sorts. That's all i am thinking of
right at this time. Anyone else with ideas????

[RedAnarchist]

Maybe by the time we have a Revolution, medical science will have progressed enough to be able to suppress any genetic trait.

I dont think greed is genetic though. Its most likely something that is put into people as they grow up, especially if they are from a bourgoisie family. The richer you are, the more you tend to have, and if children have way too much stuff, they become spoilt, and this causes greed.

[redstar2000]

If greed were "genetic", then it would probably express itself in the overproduction or underproduction of some crucial chemical that normal people have the "right amount" of. So we'd look for another chemical to correct that imbalance.

Personally, I'm inclined to think that pathological greed originates in childhood; people are made to feel inadequate/insecure in some crucial sense...and compensate by a "drive" to "prove themselves adequate beyond the possibility of any doubt". Getting rich in a society in which wealth is "the measure of all things" is a good way to do that.

Such a drive, by the way, could take a very different form in communist society. The person trying to "prove himself adequate" might do so by "over-volunteering" for public service of all kinds. If a ten-hour work-week is "standard", these guys will put in 40 or 50 hours a week or more.

It's not money that they want, it's recognition that they are not only adequate but even better than that.

http://www.websmileys.com/sm/cool/123.gif

[Skreems]

Interestingly, a study released a couple months ago found that there is indeed an "empathy gland" in the brain, which controls the strength of an individual's reaction to the suffering of others. The same study (I am almost positive) found a direct corollation with a strongly developed gland and a tendency to be liberal, and conversely an underdeveloped gland and a tendency to be conservative.

I thought it was pretty interesting :-)

[encephalon]

Interestingly, a study released a couple months ago found that there is indeed an "empathy gland" in the brain, which controls the strength of an individual's reaction to the suffering of others. The same study (I am almost positive) found a direct corollation with a strongly developed gland and a tendency to be liberal, and conversely an underdeveloped gland and a tendency to be conservative.

I thought it was pretty interesting :-)


Yeah.. it's all biochemical. biochemical processes are dependent on both environmental and genetic resources, and we could change the environmental part. I'm wondering about the genetic part.. how would we deal with "medically greedy" people, whose behavior is primarily genetic rather than environmental?? :P I can't really think of a terribly good answer to that.

[Guest]

Same as now... they become republicans and we tolerate them and try to fix the damage they do to this country :rolleyes:

[I've Defected]

I think greed will be shunned socially in a true communist nation.

If one of your co-workers pulls up in a mustang, there will be anger and dissent from other workers.

Fast cars are a symbol of social status in capitalism
Fast cars will be a symbol of greed, and likewise will be subject to exclusion from social activities in communism

[encephalon]

I think greed will be shunned socially in a true communist nation.


err.. communist nation????



If one of your co-workers pulls up in a mustang, there will be anger and dissent from other workers.

Fast cars are a symbol of social status in capitalism
Fast cars will be a symbol of greed, and likewise will be subject to exclusion from social activities in communism

If they are genetically predisposed to greed, however, exclusion won't stop that greed from manifesting in them..

That said, it could probably be approached chemically, as most human emotions/etc.--excesses and shortages--are based in extreme chemical imbalance, provided they aren't environmental. Though personally I have a problem with prsecribing things for so-called "mental disorders" as well. I think I'd make an exception for greed though.

[I've Defected]

greed drives one for personal gain. Not neccesarily towards material possesions.

One is does not benefit from material possessions in a communist system like they would in a capitalist system

[Princess Leon and Koba Fett]

Originally posted by [email protected] 5 2005, 10:20 AM
Okay.. let me first say that I'm not saying this is true. It's hypothetical.

Let's say that there is a genetic trait that predisposes a person to be greedy (which I consider an illness), much like people are predisposed to schizophrenia or depression. That means, if something along these lines existed, that a communist society would never really be able to get rid of the "greed" factor that people like to attribute so much to human nature, at least without euthanizing anyone with that particular gene (and then there's still the chance of mutation)--which I find a rather distateful prospect.

What exactly would be done with these people, if it can't be treated by behavioral modes instituted by society (like many cases of schizophrenia)? If greed is an illness, and can't be treated behaviorally, what exactly should be done with them? Any proposals on how such a matter would be handled (or any behaviorally incurable illness, really)?
Congrats: you've taken the first step along the road to a "Brave New World." One might just as well do away with all other potentially undesirable personal characteristics and engineer a race of docile, sociable, and generous CommuSupermen.

Don't underestimate the power of greed to motivate people to actions that yield positive results. If "greed" did not exist, I am willing to wager that most of us would still be living in mud huts -- without that precious Internet which connects "commie-kids" to each other.