Why do we "want" things we do not need?

[mikekle]

I think if maybe the CC, or the Pope came and spoke out against advertising, commercials, etc. this may help people recognize the evil in these things and turn away from them. Its pretty clear its almost the same thing as Satan trying to tempt Adam and Eve in the garden, he tempted them with something they did not need, and they gave in…same exact thing is happening in our world today, except most people dont realize its Satan behind all this, he has managed to fool mankind again!

Plus, the internet has made things very easy for Satan, its filled with websites for people to shop, and spend all the money they like, anytime day or night! lol

 

[fhansen]

Many people, I fear, live their entire life chasing after vanity, always feeling just one step away from lasting happiness. What makes us want so much junk in hope of gaining happiness? How much pride, for example, can a proud person feel, thinking it will result happiness just before overdosing on their sinful folly?

Do watching commercials cause us to want? Or are the marketers just wasting their time and money. What does it mean in modern day to sell your soul to Satan? I believe there is a strong motivation floating in the wind in having us do just that. Sin can be so very subtle.

We want because we’re unhappy-with what we have.

 

[ThinkingSapien]

I’ve been thinking about this lately, and seriously just underlined this quote in a book: “We are never satisfied, because we can never get enough of the things we don’t need.”

We try to fill an infinite-sized hole in our souls with the finite of the world. That is why we keep trying to fill it up. Only God can fill the desires of our hearts.

I think that people will engage in activities that they find enjoying in life. If a person were given everything that they need then they may spend more of their time engaging in their favoured activities. This might be painting, gardening, collecting stamps, collecting cars, playing video games, socializing, physically challenging tasks, so on. None of these are things that are needed, but they are things that bring about some enjoyment.

Permanent satisfaction is not going to be an outcome. If a goal is completely satisfied then it may be replaced with a new goal. Some goals have no upper bound so a person could pursue that goal their entire life. Take a person that wants to be the fastest recorded runner. After becoming recognized as such she still may want to beat her own time or even beat those that may come years to a lifetime after her. So she still may work on improving her speed.

Advertising and lifestyle choices we make surely do affect avarice. When I hang around different crowds of people and spend more time with media (and less with God), it gets harder to resist. Just being conscious of that helps, and if you can - have an accountability partner!

I think there also may be an aspect of a delayed sense of gratification and impulse control involved. A desire may motivate someone to indulge, but it may also motivate someone to conserve. Let’s say two people of equal income want an expense car. One person might go ahead and buy it putting himself under some financial stress to make the payments. Another person might decide that he will but it in the future but decide that will will save up the money for it and voluntarily avoid satisfying other desires that might compete with the desire for the car (ex: not having desert at dinner so that the money that would have been spent on the food can go towards the future car purchase).

 

[ClearWater]

I’ve found that the disadvantages and advantageous of having a car vary by geography. When I’m in dense cities with developed transportation systems having a car can be a hassle (especially when it comes to just finding a place to park) and it seems easier to get around by public transit, cabs, Uber, or by sidewalk. In places that are more suburban being without a car can put one at a disadvantage; there’s not necessarily public transportation or even sidewalks and cross walks on which to fall back. Loosing one’s transportation could also result in loosing one’s way of life and employment. For my usual daily commute a taxi would actually cost more than the payment for the car I drive (Assuming a 0% loan over a 4-5 year period).

The cost, advantageous, and disadvantageous are situational.

As you say, it depends where you live. I was speaking for myself. A cab here, where I normally go, costs about $3 US. A car is more expensive for me and a hassle. I live without, because a car is a hassle, but I’m aware that due to the lack of a decent mass transit system in much of the US, a car can be a necessary rather than a luxury.

It’s all relative.

 

[ClearWater]

As you say, it depends where you live. I was speaking for myself. A cab here, where I normally go, costs about $3 US. I live without, because a car is a hassle, but I’m aware that due to the lack of a decent mass transit system in much of the US, a car can be a necessary rather than a luxury.

It’s all relative.

 

[Ignatius]

Many people, I fear, live their entire life chasing after vanity, always feeling just one step away from lasting happiness. What makes us want so much junk i

Concupiscence.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

Many people, I fear, live their entire life chasing after vanity, always feeling just one step away from lasting happiness. What makes us want so much junk in hope of gaining happiness? How much pride, for example, can a proud person feel, thinking it will result happiness just before overdosing on their sinful folly?

Do watching commercials cause us to want? Or are the marketers just wasting their time and money. What does it mean in modern day to sell your soul to Satan? I believe there is a strong motivation floating in the wind in having us do just that. Sin can be so very subtle.

We want things because we’re made in God’s image, and there’s a blank in us that will only satisfied when we know God face to face.

Animals are very easily satisfied - give them food, shelter, some attention (and a ball in my dog’s case), some kindness and respect, and they don’t want any more. Not for them the endless pursuit of materialism, or success, or worldly status, or power, or wealth, or seduction, or hundreds of motor vehicles they don’t need.

But we’re not - we’ve got this thing in us that’s never satisfied. It points to God, but we try to satisfy it with everything else.

God wants it all too - but He wants it to belong to Him by it’s own free will. So in the meantime He’s given us the freedom to choose - Him or the devil. That’s the only choice we’ve really got in the end. When we front up for our judgement, it will just be us and Him - nothing else. Everything we thought we owned will be in someone else’s possession - maybe even the Public Trustee’s, for all we know.

All the other things are just distractions.

 

[Lost_Sheep]

Many people, I fear, live their entire life chasing after vanity, always feeling just one step away from lasting happiness. What makes us want so much junk in hope of gaining happiness? How much pride, for example, can a proud person feel, thinking it will result happiness just before overdosing on their sinful folly?

Do watching commercials cause us to want? Or are the marketers just wasting their time and money. What does it mean in modern day to sell your soul to Satan? I believe there is a strong motivation floating in the wind in having us do just that. Sin can be so very subtle.

When you boil the human condition down to its most basic level, there are only three things we actually “need”. They are a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food. in your belly. Everything beyond that is a “want”.

Now, if you are content to live a boring life with just what you “need” that is your right. I, however, prefer to enjoy some of the treats life has to offer so as long as I am not committing a sin (though some might suggest that merely indulging in them is a sin) I intend to partake of them.

 

[Robert_Sock]

When you boil the human condition down to its most basic level, there are only three things we actually “need”. They are a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food. in your belly. Everything beyond that is a “want”.

Now, if you are content to live a boring life with just what you “need” that is your right. I, however, prefer to enjoy some of the treats life has to offer so as long as I am not committing a sin (though some might suggest that merely indulging in them is a sin) I intend to partake of them.

We all seem to want things we do not need, but why? What is it in us that’s always one step away from happiness, and we usually try to satisfy this anticipation with material “want.”

 

[meltzerboy]

We all seem to want things we do not need, but why? What is it in us that’s always one step away from happiness, and we usually try to satisfy this anticipation with material “want.”

You are familiar with Sigmund Freud’s theory of mind, Robert. The mind consists of the id, ego, and superego. Thus we have needs and wants (id) from birth onward. However, our reason (ego) tempers our wants so that we can protect ourselves from harm. Further, our moral values (superego) restrict our wants if they are immoral. The problem is that these three components of our mind are in a never-ending battle and can rarely achieve internal peace of mind for any extended period of time. Due to this battle, nothing in life can fully satisfy us. That is why Freud states that only in death can we achieve homeostasis, a state of complete internal peace.

Animals do not have this problem. They lack the level of reason and intelligence (ego) that we humans have, as well as the level of morality (superego) which most of us aspire toward. Animals are mainly pleasure-driven (id) and they are satisfied with the pleasures they experience. But we are not solely pleasure-driven (although it may seem the contrary at times since the id is powerful), and therefore, according to Freud’s theory, internal intrapsychic conflict is always present within our mind.

 

[Robert_Sock]

You are familiar with Sigmund Freud’s theory of mind, Robert. The mind consists of the id, ego, and superego. Thus we have needs and wants (id) from birth onward. However, our reason (ego) tempers our wants so that we can protect ourselves from harm. Further, our moral values (superego) restrict our wants if they are immoral. The problem is that these three components of our mind are in a never-ending battle and can rarely achieve internal peace of mind for any extended period of time. Due to this battle, nothing in life can fully satisfy us. That is why Freud states that only in death can we achieve homeostasis, a state of complete internal peace.

Animals do not have this problem. They lack the level of reason and intelligence (ego) that we humans have, as well as the level of morality (superego) which most of us aspire toward. Animals are mainly pleasure-driven (id) and they are satisfied with the pleasures they experience. But we are not solely pleasure-driven (although it may seem the contrary at times since the id is powerful), and therefore, according to Freud’s theory, internal intrapsychic conflict is always present within our mind.

The wise person will quickly come to recognize the value of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, but the spiritually undisciplined soul will seek out worthless worldly pleasures and immediate gratification.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

We all seem to want things we do not need, but why? What is it in us that’s always one step away from happiness, and we usually try to satisfy this anticipation with material “want.”

Somehow people feel that they need more things to feel happy. It may be a form of addiction to fill in a gap that is not filled by love and security. God can only provide that, no other person can, and no amount of things or pleasures can.

“Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant us peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

 

[fhansen]

You are familiar with Sigmund Freud’s theory of mind, Robert. The mind consists of the id, ego, and superego. Thus we have needs and wants (id) from birth onward. However, our reason (ego) tempers our wants so that we can protect ourselves from harm. Further, our moral values (superego) restrict our wants if they are immoral. The problem is that these three components of our mind are in a never-ending battle and can rarely achieve internal peace of mind for any extended period of time. Due to this battle, nothing in life can fully satisfy us. That is why Freud states that only in death can we achieve homeostasis, a state of complete internal peace.

Animals do not have this problem. They lack the level of reason and intelligence (ego) that we humans have, as well as the level of morality (superego) which most of us aspire toward. Animals are mainly pleasure-driven (id) and they are satisfied with the pleasures they experience. But we are not solely pleasure-driven (although it may seem the contrary at times since the id is powerful), and therefore, according to Freud’s theory, internal intrapsychic conflict is always present within our mind.

I wonder if Freud had any room at all in there for Augustine’s thought, “Our hearts are restless, Lord, until they rest in thee”? Kinda doubt it.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Somehow people feel that they need more things to feel happy. It may be a form of addiction to fill in a gap that is not filled by love and security. God can only provide that, no other person can, and no amount of things or pleasures can.

“Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant us peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

 

[meltzerboy]

I wonder if Freud had any room at all in there for Augustine’s thought, “Our hearts are restless, Lord, until they rest in thee”? Kinda doubt it.

Freud came from an Orthodox Jewish family but abandoned the religion of his ancestors. He remained an atheist till his dying day, as far as we know.

 

[fhansen]

Freud came from an Orthodox Jewish family but abandoned the religion of his ancestors. He remained an atheist till his dying day, as far as we know.

Yes, and he lacked the benefit of revelation as a result it would seem. The doctrine of original sin sets forth the notion that man was made for God-for relationship with Him, but that man is divided within himself in some capacity, divided from his own nature, as a result of being divided from God. The result is sort of a chaos/disharmony to one degree or another; loss of self-mastery ironically, perhaps, being the result of the desire for total self-mastery, apart from the Creator. The desire for happiness innate in man is said to be stifled to the extent that he’s apart from God, even as we may continue to prefer that separation, or because we prefer it, pride being a huge factor in human affairs. At any rate I’m certain that full communion with God, only possible in the next life, leaves nothing more to be desired, unless more of the same.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Yes, and he lacked the benefit of revelation as a result it would seem. The doctrine of original sin sets forth the notion that man was made for God-for relationship with Him, but that man is divided within himself in some capacity, divided from his own nature, as a result of being divided from God. The result is sort of a chaos/disharmony to one degree or another; loss of self-mastery ironically, perhaps, being the result of the desire for total self-mastery, apart from the Creator. The desire for happiness innate in man is said to be stifled to the extent that he’s apart from God, even as we may continue to prefer that separation, or because we prefer it, pride being a huge factor in human affairs. At any rate I’m certain that full communion with God, only possible in the next life, leaves nothing more to be desired, unless more of the same.

I like this. One thing I notice about people who are “spiritual” but not believers in God is that they are always seeking some way to be spiritually fulfilled, whether through self-help books, psychology, new age spirituality, eastern religions, etc., but they never really find a satisfying answer just more questions and more seeking. Once people turn to God, they know where the all the answers are. They may not know everything, but they know where everything lies.

 

[mikekle]

I like this. One thing I notice about people who are “spiritual” but not believers in God is that they are always seeking some way to be spiritually fulfilled, whether through self-help books, psychology, new age spirituality, eastern religions, etc., but they never really find a satisfying answer just more questions and more seeking. Once people turn to God, they know where the all the answers are. They may not know everything, but they know where everything lies.

I know some people that fit this description, many of them seem quite happy and content to me, which, in reality they should not be, that has made me curious about the topic.

 

[shoe]

Many people, I fear, live their entire life chasing after vanity, always feeling just one step away from lasting happiness. What makes us want so much junk in hope of gaining happiness? How much pride, for example, can a proud person feel, thinking it will result happiness just before overdosing on their sinful folly?

I think the reason that we sometimes may want things we don’t need is that sometimes we forget that God has all the things we possibly could want and need.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

I know some people that fit this description, many of them seem quite happy and content to me, which, in reality they should not be, that has made me curious about the topic.

Seeming happy doesn’t necessarily mean being happy. I mean the kind of deep happiness you get when you trust that God is around you all the time, and will always be there…