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LIVELIHOOD WITH RELIGION: LIMITS TO DESIRES
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exhibit a liking for religion, but do not practise it. The religion of such religious persons does not influence economic progress.
Support in Favour of Multiplication of Wants Economics advocates the principle of increasing wants for economic progress. While some economists support this openly, some others are not in favour of supporting it openly. In support of increasing wants, the following arguments are advanced:
1. With increase in wants (and their satisfaction), man gets
maximum happiness and satisfaction. 2. Increase in wants is helpful in the development of culture and
improvement in the standard of living. 3. Increase in wants leads to creation of more wealth. 4. With increase in wants, the economic position of the state
becomes stronger, as a result of which the state becomes militarily powerful and self-reliant in its own defence.
Opposing Arguments The following arguments are presented in opposing the increase in wants:
1. With increase in wants, a man experiences unhappiness and
misery. 2. Increase in wants and the continuous endeavour to satisfy
them make man materialistic. 3. With increase in wants, class struggle takes place in society. 4. With increase in wants, man becomes selfish and makes use
of questionable means to earn more money.
Needs and Satisfaction The conclusion which emerges on a deeper examination from the point of view of anekanta is that the truth lies between the two positions. The belief of economic theory that, with too much reduction in wants, social progress cannot be achieved is not without foundation.
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