Materialism, Religion and Survival

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Today in Sociology class I thought of something new. I will ask kindly that a$$wipes like lifegazer, iaccus etc. would stay the hell out of this thread unless they have useful unmystical input. You derail my thread and I'll spam you with PMs. Got it?

Ok, now that that's out of the way here I go:


Rampant materialism(not the worldview but the wanting things) uses up resources in the name of pleasure so much. You have religions that have a selfdenial aspect to them; why? Also why are very religious people(monks, cultists etc.) so happy? They are happy without things. Could these self denial aspects of religions be a memetic adaptation to help people be happy without wanting wanting wanting using up stuff that is needed for survival? This doesn't mean the religions are true, just useful for survival. What would a sustanible naturalistic worldview be like? Being happy without believing crap is true and not needing as many toys? I don't know if I'm making any sense.

 

[phildonnia]

NB: by "materialism" you mean "consumerism". The term "materialism" is mainly used in these forums to denote "physicalism".

Here's an alternate idea:

Rapid consumption is generally a survival trait. Unhappiness and dissatisfaction fuel consumption, so these are also survival traits. We are all genetically predisposed to be unhappy. It is important to realize that lasting happiness, (or "contentment") leads to extinction.

Self-denial is basically a way of re-asserting control of your organism. Monks and such are happy because they are supressing their natural urges; refusing to play the game, if you will.

This self-denial continues in spite of (not because of) its lower survival potential, mainly because 99.9% of people don't practice it faithfully.