If you are interested in money, then you should also be interested in knowing what capitalism is.
The definition of capitalism is relatively straightforward. This article from Britannica states that capitalism is a “economic system in which there is private ownership of the means of production”. However, knowing this definition only does not indicate that one has a good understanding of what capitalism really is.
Some people point out how greedy capitalist societies are. However, it isn’t really greed that keeps the capitalist society going. People who want money in the capitalist society don’t feel such urge out of greed. Most often, they want the money so that they can take care of themselves. The desire to take care of self has to do with self-esteem, not greed. Therefore, it is possible to say that capitalism is run and maintained by people who possess healthy level of self-esteem and thus desire to take care of themselves.
In order to take care of themselves, people need resources such as food, clothes, houses et cetera. To obtain these goods, people have to earn money. In order to earn money, people have to make contributions to the societies they belong to. Therefore, capitalist society ends up utilizing people’s self-esteem to create various goods that eventually enrich people’s lives.
Bakers make breads to earn money and take care of themselves, giving people bread to eat as a result. Doctors cure their patients to earn money, benefiting the patients as the result. Taxi drivers drive taxi to earn money. As a result, people get to ride taxis when they need to.
Conclusion
Capitalist society is a society in which the achievement of a personal goal, in many cases taking care of self, simultaneously enhances the quality of life of people living in the society. This creates a highly efficient and positive cycle.
Therefore, I believe that we shouldn’t criticize people for getting motivated by money. That’s how capitalist society works and the capitalist system is one of the most efficient means of making people happier.