Reflections on Money in Human Life by Siblings

Prompt: Reflections on money in human life by siblings, exploring the impact of money on human life.

Reflections on Money in Human Life in the Modern World

I. Detailed Outline: Reflections on Money in Human Life

1. Introduction

- Engage, introduce the argumentative topic of money in life.

2. Body of the Essay

a. Definition of Money
- Money has a long history, appearing in various forms.
- Originally circular and cast in copper and silver, money evolved to be made of paper or polymer.
- Precious metals like gold, silver, and diamonds are also considered 'money'.
=> The essence of money is a medium of buying, selling, and exchanging goods, satisfying human needs in life.

b. Positive Roles of Money in Life
- Money helps maintain our lives.
+ Necessities like food, clothing, shelter, transportation, etc., all require financial resources.
+ The birth of children requires money for care and nurturing.

- Overcoming challenges often requires money.
+ Our historical victories were not only due to human strength but also financial resources.
+ Natural disasters, floods, and recent events like the Covid-19 pandemic are challenging to overcome without financial means.
- Money satisfies our psychological needs.

c. The Negative Impact of Money in Life

- Money today wields formidable power.
+ In the past, money was used to replace the value of goods and services, but nowadays, many material aspects of life can be acquired with money.
+ Money even represents authority, fame, and prestige in society...
- Money dominates relationships and satisfies dubious purposes.
+ Due to monetary conflicts, children kill their parents, siblings become estranged, legal disputes arise...
+ Countless families crumble because of money.
+ Noble professions like teaching and medicine, once characterized by beautiful relationships between teachers and students, are gradually corrupted under the spell of money.
+ Cases of corruption and bribery involving tens of billions are evidence of the dark side of money.

d. Causes of Money Transformation
- The essence of money is not inherently evil.
+ All these negative influences stem from the internal greed and selfishness of human beings.
+ Money, created through its own effort, should be used for legitimate purposes, for clean money.
- Money is not everything, it cannot buy happiness
+ Money is merely a tool for exchange and to serve daily life.
+ A poor family whose members love each other is undoubtedly happier and more joyful than a wealthy family with distant and cold relationships among its members.

3. Conclusion

- Reaffirming the Value of Money and its Connection to the Self.

II. Sample Essay: Reflection on Money in Human Life

As society advances with cutting-edge technology, humans unwittingly find themselves entangled in the whirlwind of life. Chasing the allure of money, people gradually forget the beautiful spiritual values. While money plays a crucial role in life, it simultaneously carries many negative impacts.

Money has existed since ancient times, originating in various forms even in primitive societies. Initially circular and minted from metals like copper and silver, money has evolved with technological progress, leading to the creation of paper or polymer currency. Gold, silver, and diamonds can also be referred to as 'money.' Despite manifesting in different forms, the essence of money remains a means of buying, exchanging goods, and satisfying human needs in life.

How does money play a specific role and influence in our lives? Firstly, money helps us maintain our lives. Everything from food, clothing, shelter, transportation requires money for payment. Many people, due to a lack of money, wander, face uncertainties, miss out on education, and cannot lead a normal life. Babies need money for care and nurturing. Even in death, there is a need for money for funeral rites, condolences, and burial. The construction of schools, hospitals, bridges, etc., requires significant investment capital.

To overcome specific challenges, the presence of money is indispensable. Victories in resisting invading forces, fighting against traitors who betray their country, not only rely on human strength but also on financial power. Natural disasters, floods, or notable events like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are challenging to combat without money. Even a united nation cannot overcome a pandemic without sufficient medical equipment and supplies, which, in turn, require money for purchase.

Money also helps satisfy the spiritual needs of individuals. Whether you want to travel, relax, or enhance your appearance, you need money. No one can deny that having more money makes life more convenient and smoother. Additionally, money can be used for charitable purposes, helping others, and contributing to the homeland and the nation.

However, alongside these positive values, money also harbors many negative impacts. Money, originally a means of sustaining life, has become corrupted by greed and selfishness. Modern money wields formidable power, representing not only the exchange for goods and services but also authority, fame, and prestige in society. The saying 'Money is the ancestor, is the Buddha' and 'What cannot be bought with money can be bought with a lot of money' reflects this transformation.

Money becomes a means to dominate relationships and satisfy dirty purposes. Due to financial conflicts, families are torn apart, and individuals resort to theft and murder. Noble professions like teaching and medicine, as well as beautiful relationships between mentors and students, gradually deteriorate under the allure of money. Each year, numerous corruption cases and bribery scandals involving tens of billions are exposed, revealing the dark side of money.

However, money itself is not inherently evil or filthy. All these negative influences ultimately stem from the internal greed and selfishness of individuals. Money is created through one's own effort and should be used for legitimate purposes.

Many wonder if money can buy everything, including happiness. The answer is no; money is not everything. It is merely a tool for daily life exchanges. A poor family with love among its members is likely happier than a wealthy family where relationships are distant. Someone with a normal job and time for themselves is likely happier than someone constantly chasing money all day long.

Every aspect of life has its own limits, and money is no exception. We need to understand what is enough to achieve essential values. Striving to earn more money for a comfortable and fulfilling life is reasonable, but we must never allow money to dominate and change our true selves.