Pleonexias

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A tendency towards excessive greed or desire for material gain, often disregarding the needs of others
2. An insatiable craving for wealth or possessions, resulting in a disregard for moderation
3. The relentless pursuit of more wealth or resources, characterized by a lack of concern for ethical considerations

Etymology: Ancient Greek "pleonexia" was built from "pleon" ("more") and "echein" ("to have"), so it literally meant "wanting more" or "having more." Aristotle used the term in his Nicomachean Ethics, where he treats it as a vice opposed to fairness: the person who grabs more than their share of goods, honours or gain. The word was not a neutral description of ambition. It named a failure of justice. Greek writers, Plato among them, returned to the idea of an appetite with no natural limit, and the notion became central to later moral philosophy on greed. The Greek word passed into Latin as "pleonexia" and into English largely through learned writing, appearing in scholarly and theological discussion rather than everyday speech.

Synonyms: greed, avarice, covetousness

Antonyms: generosity, selflessness