Do Most People Have a Desire for Unlimited Wealth?

The enduring debate about whether humans inherently desire unlimited resources spans diverse academic fields, from economics to philosophy. The conversation often hinges on whether this insatiable appetite is innate or a by-product of capitalist structures.

Delving into this discourse, Paul G. Bain of the University of Bath and Renata Bongiorno from Bath Spa University present their findings in a recent publication in Nature Sustainability. Contrary to the widespread assumption that human beings consistently desire more regardless of their possessions, their research indicates that while a segment of the population may harbor an unquenchable thirst for wealth, they are not representative of the majority.

Bain and Bongiorno conducted two distinct studies. The inaugural study surveyed approximately 2,000 participants from developed and developing nations, encompassing the US, UK, France, South Africa, China, Russia, and Brazil. In the context of a broader study, these participants envisioned their ideal life and reflected upon the amount of money this would necessitate. Subsequently, they were presented with the option to participate in one of eight hypothetical lotteries, with prizes ranging from $10,000 to $100 billion. After this exercise, they expressed the primary changes they would institute with their potential winnings.