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LIVELIHOOD WITH RELIGION: LIMITS TO DESIRES
97
Desires are natural. Needs are determined by a number of factors: geographical environment, social customs, physical conditions and expectations, and religious sentiments.
Determination of Needs by Economic Conditions
The needs of poor people are limited. They are able to satisfy only that part of the needs which are essential for life. The needs of wealthy persons are many more. Their needs are not only essentials of life but are also a source of luxury.
Determination of Needs by Religious Sentiments The needs of a religious person are determined by moral content and character. He builds his needs on the basis of moral standards followed by him. His needs are few and balanced. On the other hand, the needs of a person motivated by physical urges are numerous and varied.
Profit and Greed The pit of desires is so deep that it can never be filled. This has been recognised by both Theology and Economics. Bhagwan Mahavira said: “Greed increases with profit. As profit increases greed also expands.” When one want gets satisfied, a new want takes birth. On the basis of this characteristic of wants has emerged the theory of turbulence. Because of the limitlessness of wants, the man's peace of mind is disturbed.
Marshall's View Economics has accepted the principle of limitlessness of wants. Dr. Marshall has written: “The desires and wants of people are innumerable and are of various types". ? As a man fulfils one want, another springs up. He cannot fulfil all his wants in his entire life. On the basis of this special feature of wants, economists established the ‘Law of Progress'. Because of limitless desires,
1. Principles of Economics, p. 73.
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