Persuasive Essay

Besides money appearing in many different forms, in many different countries, it is also viewed in many various ways by the wide variety of people on this earth. Lewis Lapham stated, "I think it fair to say that the current ardor of the American faith in money easily surpasses the degrees of intensity achieved by other societies in other times and places." (Lapham 1-2) To a certain extent, society does treat money as a precious item.

American society does have groups of people that do "worship" money. Money, in definition, is what Americans must use to get many things that they need and want. It is usually required that they must exchange a certain amount of money for the product, service, or thing that they want. The famous phrase "money does not grow on trees", which is from an unknown source, is a very true statement. Money is not always an easy item to attain. Many individuals are required to work strenuously and must be willing to give up their time to earn money. If an individual does not easily come upon money, then they may be likely to not want to give up their money as easily as well. They consider this item as a blessing because of the rarity that they come upon it and are able to use it. They may not know when they will be able to attain anymore money. Meaning, they would not be able to simply give up the remaining money that they do have.

American society also contains groups of people that are very fortunate and do the privilege of having money come easily to them and in large amounts. It is not easy to come upon opportunities such as this one. The individual may have a wealthy family, a great occupation, or may have even won the lottery. Since the person has the ability to be able to spend a large amount of money without any worries, they really would not tend to consider as such a blessing. They may instead overlook the value of their money because of the fact that it is a common thing for them to come upon. People with this view may also reason that, in all reality, the dollar itself is simply a piece of paper with ink on it. The real value behind it is the gold that backs up its value. When people look at money is this manner, they have a valid reason for not wishing to praise the dollar.

Lapham was partially correct about the American society having people worship money, but he did not do a very good job of granting himself credibility. In order to be able to believe in a Lapham's point, he must first show the reader that he has credibility. Lapham tried to give himself credibility by using examples of how other people would view the American society. "The ancient Greeks would have regarded it as a form of insanity." (Lapham 15) Lapham states that the ancient Greeks would have viewed how the American society worshiping of money is a form of insanity, but they do not specifically describe to the reader why ancient Greeks would have viewed Americans in that way. "An Englishman of modest means can remain more or less content with the distinction of an aristocratic name." (Lapham 17-18) Lapham chose to be very vague with this example; making his statement less concrete. Not everyone from a specific culture or area is exactly alike. So, the validity of his statement is weak because not every Englishman may have views similar to the ones Lapham pointed out.

To a certain extent, society does treat money as a precious item. How an American may view money all depends on what financial state the person may be in. If the person is filthy rich, then they may not find money as such an amazing thing. If the person is dirt poor, then they will find every single dollar they receive as a precious gift from God.