Materialism vs. Simple Living

The definition of materialism is not far-fetched from the word material, from which it was derived. Materialism simply means the quest for possessions. many would right away call it eruditeness of goods. It is a term encoding a life style born in a continuous desire to acquire goods of this knowledge base with possibly an end result of deriving satisfaction. Hardly any will argue that kinde involve some basic splendidgs in life, conversely, what has been an imprecise reduce is, what these humans needs are. This has generated a lot of argument both in the distant and recent past. However, an agreement has been arrived at that humans needs are basically Food, shelter and Clothing. Virtually all schools of thought have given assent to these three basic needs, but the question yet unrequited is, will life be bearable with just these three things?Apparently, anybody attempting the above question will answer with a salvo no, for the idea of human without cars, mobile phones, compu ters etc is a painful conception itself not to mention human practically living it. At this juncture, we cannot but subscribe to the materialist doctrine, for all perspicuous human know that these material things do not alone make our everyday roll in the hays easy, they virtually make our existence possible and a reality.Following a logical trend, few would disagree with the fact that too much of many humans habit is bad. Like a medical doctor will right explain that too much smoking is dangerous to health, psychologists would claim that a child being exposed to too much film full of forcefulness is wrong, consequently, it will not be far away from truth to claim that too much desire for materials things is wrong. After all, these things we claim give satisfaction to us are short termed, that can be referred to as timed satisfaction, such as things that do not stand the test of time after a longing for them.It is simply ephemeral (short live). Taking a philosophical flight, on e would realize that human can be considerably happy with little or few material things. Imagine the sheer pleasure of sitting under a tree in a nearby park on an archaean morning before sunrise, with the natural bliss of early singing birds waking all the blossoming flowers. This priceless experience could be unparallel to any acquisition of all the wealth in the world. Arent the best things of life free?Living a materialistic existence is a habitual passion to assuage thirst for unnecessary luxuries that probable in the end bring pain to human. Imagine the expense of maintaining tax on a garage of cars of different models and brands. The life style could be based on some objective and subjective reasons. For example, a quest for comfort at all time backs up the need to go equipped with different form of expensive automobiles even though it is certain that more than one cannot be in use at the same time. Some will rather submit that materialistic existence is more than ninety p ercent base on psychologically reasons that may be unfit to hearing. many an(prenominal) rather remain silence at such a question about the necessity of getting those materials.We are dust, and to dust we shall return This was an aged verdict of the creator of men. Who sees us occupying space for only a calculated period of time. With a strong holding on this believe, majority of the people who consciously live a simple lifestyle attached reasons to this. Others who are known to live a simple lifestyle really do not have a genuine excuse other than the financial strength to maintain the pace of materialism without wearing out in the lane, but several surveys have prove them the happiest people. We also have the busy ones who do not care about other things beyond a single purpose of contributing to their generation. Scientists are categorized in this class.They experiment new discoveries all and derive joy solely in their works, which they consider as the only relevant essence for living in this world. These categories have been the ones that contributed mostly to the world. Their discoveries generate all the expensive gadgets the materialists seek with lust. Personally, I believe most of material things human acquire are not only meant to satisfy their needs but to either impress or entice this or that person, vanity to borrow a word from the bible. Many have deceased bankrupt trying to maintain the exotic lifestyle of the society they chose to belong to. Many cases of suicide have been traced to this source.However, between materialism and simple living the thin line separating the two can be difficult to mark out, after all, no human can claim he or she does not approve the pleasure of the good things. Today, even the so called men of God are known to have all the material benefit this life could offer, what they renounce is an unjustified lust for these things which they claim leads to evil. Summarily, since it has been proven that man cannot do withou t some material needs and that too much lust after material these things is uncalled for, it will be a logical conclusion to claim that human should pursue their need with moderacy, by limiting their pursuit to their basic need of existence.ReferencesLinda Breen Pierce , Choosing Simplicity literal People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World . The Gallagher Press.Dr. Peter C. Whybrow American Mania, Neuroscientist When More Is Not Enough (W.W. Norton), 2005.Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, Secrets of emotionally Intelligent Fathers, www.markbrandenburg.com n.d.