ambition (I think you can have a strong work ethic, but still lack ambition) intelligence (very important in determining level of success) opportunity luck
Have you ever heard of Paris Hilton? If you are born successful, you don't really need to DO anything to be successful. I think MacBeth recently posted a statistic that American's are becoming more and more likely to end up in the same class they were born into.
I voted other. I strongly believe that what I am and what I will become is by the special grace of God - Ultimate and divine happiness comes from him alone. That is priority #1. Others like Intelligence, Education and work ethic, etc. fall in place after my #1 source of prosperity now and 'morrow. Before I go, I must mention that GETTING RID OF GEORGE W. BUSH this November will go a long way in making my future a lot more safer and enjoyable. I have been living a noghtmare since 2000 - NOW IT MUST STOP in Jesus name, Amen!
I thought this thread was about what contributes to success, not about what makes you rich. I dont think I would clasify Paris Hilton as successful. On the other hand, I consider myslef a very successful person, even though my bank account doesnt indicate it.
No, I wasn't looking for the universal answer, merely the answer which, with aoplogies to utilitarianists, answers the most for the most number of people. As I said, none do so independantly. Oh, and Jeff, I provided a narrow definition of success ( one which I am sure neither of us would ascribe to) merely to make the discussion fit the socio-economic question I had in mind. So what I am looking for is your answer for what you feel is the quality which most leads to success, as defined, for the greatest number of people.
Well, studies show that you are in a dwindling minority. The American Dream, originated on the promise of open expanses to the West, and then fueled by the industrial boom, and given injenctions every now and then by new technological developments has, for the most part, run it's course. There is no more open land to the west, the boom has long since spent it's energy, and the injections only touch the very few in the industries from which they derive. As a general rule; your chances of achieving the American Dream are less than your fathers were...and his were less than his father's before him. In addition, and this is the first time this has happened, your chances of living better than your father are extremely remote ( as a genral rule, again) and your chances of living at roughly the same level as he are less than even. I don't know in what direction Horace Greeley's advice would run today, but I'd bet he'd not have any better idea himself.
I would say that Paris Hilton possesses the means for her and hers to live according to her basic needs and desires, which is the definition of success for the purposes of this thread.
Depends. I bet the children on immigrants in the last 50 years would disagree with you. And to me the 'American Dream' has always been tied to those who come to our shores looking for a better life. If you're an obese mid income white guy, you may be right. But then you're a half breed Canadian, so what the hell do you know about it anyway.
How do you, or any liberal on this board using the same crutch, account for the fact that 80% of all millionaires are self made? I couldnt find the origional study done by the IRS a few years ago, but it is referenced on numerous websites including this one http://www.aappraisals.com/articles/Dream_Team.htm
