The richer they are in material sense, the more lonely, anxious and desperate they feel. Prosperity often brings along worries that cannot be expressed in words. Therefore, the Buddha teaches us to give up the seeking of material desires, and instead to build up our spiritual wealth, so that we have no suffering of disappointment. The purposes of social sciences are to improve the morality of the society, to build up a wealthy and strong country, and to promote the worldly peace and harmony. However, in the era when culture is biased towards materialism, the society is overwhelmed with materialistic desires.
People are concerned only with their own interests without righteousness.
Despite all the defensive and security measures, without building up the spiritual life, there are bound to be conflicts in families, struggles, conspiracy and even murder in society, and wars between different countries fighting for land and power. It is so miserable that many people suffer and die. Just relying on material civilization cannot solve social problems. We must follow what the Buddha says. Firstly, our mind need to be purified so that we understand to benefit others is benefiting ourselves, to harm others is harming ourselves.