Greed, Corruption and Hate as a Hypothetical Thought Experiment

We have been using a long run theoretical discussion on the influence of hate and corruption in decision making when checks and balances are not sufficient. In our example, misbehaviors in the wrong environment created a chain of events that highlighted some weaknesses associated with commitment to supportable moral values.  The specific race, religion, or politic doesn't matter as much as there is an imbalance between those who are considered in-group "The Clan" and out-group members.

In our theory model, greed was a major incentive in the use of employment and social connections to exploit others for personal and collective gain. Victims were harmed by multiple poor actors as a result of the passive acceptance of hate and active acceptance of social/financial corruption in some social-work circles. Grotesque behaviors appeared normalized while more pro-social behaviors were frowned upon.

(In these thought experiment there is a general goal to look at things from unique perspectives. Different players and actors will have different perceptions based on anchored symbolism and in many ways how they see themselves and the world around them. There is a general belief that certain values should underline all of those perspectives as a way to frame good and bad choices.)

Keep in mind this is just an example for theoretical hypothetical thought experiment pontification purposes in an effort to explore the possibilities of defaults as well dip into where those defaults may start. The principles do not have a specific locality, race, religion or politic because they can be applied in general where similar factors are found. Where in-group members make choices to advantage themselves at the cost of the community, or who hold distorted beliefs that derail institutional functionality, then we should seek to understand.

The behaviors initiated by the perpetrators were based in greed, prior history of such greed, a pattern of bullying and preference in outcomes which normalized such behaviors through social learning/expectation setting. Why would such a thing happen with no backstops? The answer appears to be very complex but as we explore we also define the edges of the concept and better ways to minimize its impact on others and future generations (There are some human capital and economic issues intermingled so there are reasons to explore. There are some indications there are deeper implications for social and economic interaction patterns that influence total system health.)

According to this study, 

Greed provides higher outcomes, mixed evolutionary, and lower psychological outcomes. Greed: What Is It Good for?

In our learning example there were financial and social incentives to engage in hate and corruption. There were less financial and social values for standing for one's oaths and pro-social values. Clear differences between profession of belief and actualized behaviors (moral conscious misalignment). It is an indication of environmental protections and normalization of corruption and hate in some circles. Later it was found that there were other victims that could have been shielded from harm if whistleblowers were not retaliated against aggressively (Short term need to appease in-group members with long term impacts on others.).

A question of how to avoid in the future has not been fully answered but we have learned about hate and corruption as influenced by greed. We have gained some insight into how such groups form and why they act with immunity and impunity. The simple process of looking at studies helps to understand the nature of such issues creates greater knowledge and awareness. It is meant to be a general perception so as to understand underlining principles and best ways to support institutional health (In our example we make the assumption that corruption and hate can undermine our institutions and shared values.)

*Theoretical philosophical example for learning so take with a grain of salt. We can write the ending anyway we want so we can always have a positive ending. Since it is meant for discussuin feel free to leave a comment.

Hoyer K, Zeelenberg M, Breugelmans SM. Greed: What Is It Good for? Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2024 Apr;50(4):597-612. doi: 10.1177/01461672221140355. Epub 2022 Dec 28. PMID: 36575964; PMCID: PMC10903135.