Rich Opportunities or Chasing Riches?
A Reflection on the Pursuit of Wealth
You’re young, scrolling through social media, and it seems like everyone else is living their dream life or chasing their dream.
Friends are jet-setting across the globe, launching startups, or flaunting their latest expensive gadgets.
Meanwhile, you’re just trying to pay your bills and live a decent life.
It feels like no matter how hard you try, money somehow always slips through your fingers.
Is the relentless pursuit of wealth really the only game in town?
Let’s face it—money is seductive. It promises comfort, security, and the chance to indulge in those luxuries we all dream about. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the finer things in life or provide a cushy lifestyle for their loved ones? Our capitalist system reinforces the notion that economic success equals personal success, making the chase for riches feel like a natural, even necessary, pursuit.
Is it your coffee break? Imagine having a coffee with Socrates. What would he say about our modern obsession with wealth? This ancient Greek philosopher famously believed that virtue and wisdom were far more valuable than gold. Socrates argued that money should be a means to an end, not an end in itself. He might have smiled at our financial frenzy and gently reminded us that the true measure of life is found in our character, not our bank accounts.
Then there’s Aristotle, who would probably nod sagely and talk about the "golden mean"—the idea of finding balance. He’d acknowledge that some wealth is necessary for a good life, but he’d warn against going overboard. Aristotle believed that too much or too little of anything, including wealth, could lead to trouble. He’d likely encourage us to seek just enough money to live comfortably and focus more on cultivating virtues.
Fast forward to modern times, and we encounter Karl Marx, who saw the relentless pursuit of wealth as a soul-sucking endeavour that estranges us from our true selves and each other. Marx would probably shake his head at today’s consumer culture, arguing that it reduces human relationships to mere transactions and values people only for their economic output.
On the flip side, we have Ayn Rand, who’d be cheering for those chasing financial success. To her, wealth accumulation is a moral pursuit of one’s ability and ambition. Rand’s philosophy celebrates the entrepreneur and the self-made millionaire as the true heroes of our time. She’d argue that their success not only benefits them but also drives progress and prosperity for society at large.
And literature? Take F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." Jay Gatsby, with his mysterious wealth and lavish parties, seems to have it all. Yet, despite his riches, Gatsby’s life is a cautionary tale about the emptiness that can accompany wealth when it’s driven by superficial desires. His pursuit of money and status in hopes of winning back his lost love ultimately leads to tragedy.
Then there’s Charles Dickens, who vividly portrays the moral pitfalls of prioritising wealth over human connections. In "A Christmas Carol," Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a miserly loner to a generous soul underscores the importance of empathy and relationships over material wealth. Dickens would likely urge us to reconsider what truly brings happiness and fulfilment.
So, where does this leave us? While it’s clear that wealth can bring comfort and opportunities, the key is finding a balance. It’s not about shunning money altogether but about integrating financial success with ethical living and meaningful connections.
Alain de Botton, a modern philosopher, champions what you might call "philosophical capitalism." He suggests that by aligning our financial pursuits with our values and seeking work that feels meaningful, we can achieve a harmonious balance between wealth and well-being. De Botton’s approach encourages us to view money as a tool to enhance our lives rather than the ultimate goal.
The chase for riches is as old as humanity, but that doesn’t mean we should blindly follow it. By taking cues from philosophers and writers, we can see that while wealth has its place, it’s not the be-all and end-all. The trick is to pursue financial success mindfully, ensuring it serves a greater purpose.
Ps: So, let’s be reminded that instead of daydreaming about striking it rich, we need a balanced view of what we see on social media and however boring it sounds: to focus on valuables that money can’t buy.
