Greed Is Good from Gordon Gekko It's Still Good or Not from the Previous Financial Crisis.

In 1987 film Wall Street, Gordon Gekko famously said “greed is good”. The sequel was released in 2010. Given the recent banking crisis and subsequent recession, can greed ever be good?

Greed, the short word naturally arises with human instinct. Undeniably, its meaning seems negative, not a positive one. Although it is human instinct, no one proudly announce to others that they are greed. In other word, how can we judge that greed is good or bad by which extent? In this essay, I will describe and elaborate the extent of greed and link it to recent financial crisis phenomenon in the economic system.

Originally, greed can be defined as “a very strong wish to continuously get more of something, especially food or money” (Cambridge dictionary). Oxford dictionary is more specific emotional description in its meaning “intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food” (Oxford dictionary). Wight (2005) referred to the definition of greed by the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, greed is defined as “an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth.” He argued that the word “excessive” implicit to the improper craving. Moreover, the influence of passion motivates that person lack of self control. Furthermore, greed is all about the things with money and wealth. In addition, Wight (2005) stated that “greed implies a type of self-interest that disregards the rights and interests of others (unless there is something to be gained by regarding them).” (Wight, 2005).

Though greed can interpret in the pessimistic, there is some remarkable quote from old movie that point out it in the good meaning, “Greed is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cut through and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.” from Wall Street (1987) by Gordon Gekko. But what the extent of the greed that it should be enough. In aspect of financial service...