They are, and it is due to modern methods of parenting. Lets look at this.
Parents are told to control their children, and train them to sleep by "controlled crying". Actually, there is nothing controlled about it. The idea is that if you leave a baby to cry itself to sleep, it will soon learn not to cry and just go to sleep on its own. The parent gives the child a teddy or something to cuddle and that is called a "transitional object", and this is done "because the baby must learn".
Lets look a bit closer at this. The baby calls for the people who he can reasonably expect to love him, help him, comfort and protect him. He calls and calls in the only way he knows how, and nobody comes. And it isn't a once-off, it keeps on happening. He calls for help, and no one can be bothered with him. In despair, and unable to count on people to meet his needs, he falls asleep with teddy or some other transitional object. Teddy is a great comfort in the baby's world.
He has learned something all right. He has learned that he does not matter, that nobody cares if he is lonely, hungry, thirsty, wet, cold, hot or frightened. He learns that the people who know him best can't be counted on to help.
Then the child grows up and he can't put his trust in people. He has shallow and unsatisfying human relationships. He learned as a baby that a transitional object is what really provides comfort and as an adult he needs a more grown up version of a teddy bear. So material possessions provide happiness, security, status and comfort.
"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry comments on the themes of sacrifice, love, and material possessions. It suggests that true happiness comes from selfless acts of love and not from material possessions. This message remains relevant in our consumer society today, highlighting the value of relationships and emotional connections over material goods.
The flaws of society can be reflected in an individual through their behavior, beliefs, and attitudes. For example, if a society has a problem with racism, an individual may exhibit discriminatory behavior towards others. Similarly, if society values material wealth over happiness, individuals may prioritize money and possessions over their well-being.
Madame Loisel admires a society that values wealth and status, where she can indulge in material possessions and social prestige. She is drawn to the idea of living a glamorous and luxurious lifestyle.
Menelaus values his possessions highly, particularly his wealth and the riches he has accumulated over the years. He takes pride in his material possessions and often uses them to display his status and power within society. However, his attachment to material wealth can also lead to conflicts and challenges, as seen in his role in the Trojan War.
Madame Forestier values her social status, appearance, and material possessions. She takes great pride in her jewelry and fashionable clothing, which symbolize her wealth and position in society.
A belief that society is more important than the individual.
Mathematikoi are people who lived permanently with the Society, and had no personal possessions and were vegetarians.
Collins is motivated by a desire to assert his own importance and impress Elizabeth with his status and possessions. He wants to demonstrate his wealth and position in society in the hopes of gaining her favor and approval. Additionally, Collins's actions may stem from a belief that his material possessions can compensate for his lack of personal qualities or charm.
Total utilitarianism determines the overall happiness and well-being of society by maximizing the total amount of happiness and minimizing suffering for all individuals in the society. It focuses on the total sum of happiness and aims to create the greatest overall well-being for the entire population, rather than prioritizing the happiness of any specific individual or group.
Peaceful communication is essential to Happiness.
Gatsby portrays himself as happy to impress others and maintain his image of success. He believes that projecting an air of happiness will help him win over Daisy and gain acceptance from high society. Deep down, however, he is truly sad and unfulfilled, longing for something that money and material possessions cannot provide.
In Plato's ideal society, there was no room for a class based on wealth or material possessions. Instead, individuals were assigned to classes based on their inherent qualities and abilities, with the philosopher-kings at the top ruling over the guardian class and the producers. This system aimed to ensure that each individual fulfilled their role in society according to their natural talents and virtues.