Materialism

Naseebullah Khan
Lust of power and lust of money have been the main forces behind societal decay, disharmony, and psychological disorder. Simply materialism means priority of matter over mind. As per the basic concept of materialism that envisages that matter is the basic substance and that mind and consciousness are the epiphenomena. Contextually, it is against the concept of Idealism which prefers mind and conscious being the first orderes rather than materialsism. Materialism is closely interlinked with physicalism which articulated that whatever exists is physical. People focus on money and fame for the fulfillment of these selfish desires who even donot abstain from murdering other and exploitation. For them Matter is more prefarable and is a only source of material possessions rather than spiritul or intellectual substances. What encourages materialism? Factors that are driving forces behind it are biological, social, cultural, economic, psychological, and political How Political and ecnomic interests trigger materialism? Political and economic interests go shoulder by shoulder with each other. As a matter of fact the political system in world has been vehemently penetrated by ecnomic interests. The Feudalists and the have class have suffocated political system and political parties where they are the big wigs and have been ruling the entire system. This has defaced the democratic vslues where the middle class representation is rare. As for as the economic interests of a state are concerned once cements itself economically then it interferes through its economic strength in the politics of other states. The end and covert result of this interference has always beeb to intact economic superiority. Hence, materialism proves itself at the verge. Whether it was the US attack on Iraq on the name ofthe so called nuclear weapons for installing its puppet government and occupy the middle eastern markets and oil reserves or it was the US attack of Afghanistan on the name of terrorism where the US aimed to encircle Russia and China to have strong hold in Central Asian Countries___materialstic goals were prefered. Consequently, it proved that for the fulfillment of materialistic lust___acquiring and consuming matarial goods, and believing that only possession are utmost necessary for their survival. These attacks further accelerated the factually of the hypothesis that market economy and competeion is based upon self__ interests. Is materialism the only source of happiness or otherwise? Tiber Scitovsky calls it as Joyless ecnomy in which people endlessly pursue comforts to the determilenst of pleasures. Materialsts people are comparatively less happy and less satisfied as greed and lust have always negative implications on their minds. These further result in psychological disorders such as narcissism, depression, superiority and inferiority complexes and paranoia. According to Tsang who in his work why are materialists less happy talks of the role of gratitude and satisfaction in the relationship between materialism and life satisfaction and observes that owing to personality and Individual differences, materialists are less satisfied with their lives because they have less gratitude. This means that instead of being satisfied with what they have, they focus on what they do not have, thus making them to less likely appreciate positive aspects of their lives. A materialist is always in search of more and more greed that destroys the value of fun and excitement in life that can be perceived by a person’s ownership of a large assortment of recreational equipment. Materialism has myriad of negative aspects. Lust of gaining more and more material wealth, greed, the difference between have and have nots, exloiation, becoming rich as richer, poor as poorer, class distinctions, and deprivation bring sociological disorders that further results in social inclusion rather exclusion. Ryan and Dziurawiec observe that Materialism has been predominantly associated with negative connotations and consequences Individuals who pursue material wealth have personal striving for power (desires to impress, control and manipulate others). They thus tend to forego investment in intrinsic values like family, friends, contribution to the community, and self-actualization which are believed to be drivers of life satisfaction or well-being. Roberts and Clement in their studies Materialism and the family Structure-Stress opine that negative consequences include rising and unmanageable consumer debt, depleted savings, consumer bankruptcy, depression, unhappiness, and life dissatisfaction. Despite its negative aspects, materialism has some positive implications too. Burroughs, Rindfleisch, and Wong in their studies observe that Materialism can play important positive roles in the lives of some people, such as identity builder, self-esteem booster, and satisfier of the need of distinctiveness and belonging. Materialism encourages one to work hard, to use its energies, and to not indulge in leisure. In addition, we are what we have means to manage their identities. Materialism encourages us to intact our identity for a meaningful existence, efficiency performance, releaes stress, self__respect, positive image building, and self__esteem. Islam envisages a balanced approach towards materialism. It does not stop human being from gaining materials. It calls those who earn their livelihoods as friends of God. On the other side, Islam disallows human beings from earning by hook and by crook through any means. It encourages emontions, ethics, humanity, equality, helping people, provision of Zakat, and Sadaqaty (Cherity). The current concept of Materialism encourages self__interests while Islam favours collectivism. Islamic teachings give money intrinsic value and spiritual happiness when it is used for ending people misiries. From Islamic point of view money is not good or evil in itself rather people make it otherwise by themselves. Materialism in itself in not harmful rather when it is accompanied by lust and greed, it becomes lethal for social harmony, peace, coexistence, brotherhood, gives rise to class distinction, and inequality. Matter in itself is neither good or bad it is human approach that mekes it otherwise