The Unruly Heart: How Desire Becomes the Cause of Sin

A Philosophical Inquiry into Human Transgression

This article delves into the profound philosophical assertion that desire, when unchecked or misdirected, serves as the fundamental cause of sin. Drawing from the venerable tradition of Western thought, from ancient Greek philosophers to medieval theologians, we explore the intricate relationship between our innate longings, the exercise of will, and the moral transgressions we term sin. It is a journey into the depths of human nature, seeking to understand not merely the act of sin, but its very genesis within the soul.

The Genesis of Longing: Understanding Desire

At its root, desire is a fundamental aspect of human experience. It is the inclination towards something perceived as good or beneficial, a longing for fulfillment or completion. From the most basic physiological needs like hunger and thirst to the loftier aspirations for knowledge, love, or justice, desire propels human action and shapes our understanding of the world.

Philosophers across the ages have grappled with the nature of desire:

  • Plato saw desire (epithymia) as one of the three parts of the soul, often needing to be governed by reason.
  • Aristotle distinguished between rational and irrational desires, emphasizing the importance of cultivating virtuous desires through habit.
  • Stoics aimed not to eliminate desire entirely, but to master it, particularly the passions that disturb tranquility.

Yet, despite its often-positive or neutral portrayal, it is precisely this powerful engine of human striving that is frequently identified as the ultimate cause of sin. How does something so intrinsic to our being become the root of our moral failings?

The Pivot Point: When Desire Becomes the Cause of Sin

The transformation of natural desire into the cause of sin occurs when desire becomes disordered, exceeding its proper bounds or seeking an object that is contrary to right reason or divine law. It is not the mere presence of a desire, but its misdirection or the excessive pursuit of a legitimate good, that leads to transgression.

Consider the following progression:

  1. Legitimate Desire: A natural inclination towards a good (e.g., desire for food, wealth, recognition).
  2. Disordered Desire: The desire becomes excessive, seeks an illegitimate object, or attempts to fulfill itself through illicit means (e.g., gluttony, avarice, vainglory).
  3. The Absence of Restraint: Reason fails to properly assess the desire, or the will fails to exert its rightful dominion.
  4. Assent of the Will: The crucial moment where the will consciously chooses to align itself with the disordered desire, thereby making it one's own.
  5. The Act of Sin: The physical manifestation or internal commitment to the transgression.

The Role of the Will in Sinful Desire

The concept of the will is paramount in understanding desire as the cause of sin. It is the faculty of choice, the power to assent to or reject the impulses of desire. Without the will's consent, a disordered desire might remain a temptation, an internal struggle, but it does not fully become sin.

As St. Augustine profoundly articulated, sin is not merely a weakness of the flesh, but a perversion of the will. It is the will's turning away from a higher good towards a lesser, temporal good, driven by an inordinate desire. The will has the capacity to choose the good that reason presents, or to yield to the allure of a disordered desire. When it yields, it freely chooses evil, thus making the desire the cause of the subsequent sin.

Generated Image

Philosophical Perspectives on Desire and Sin

The relationship between desire, will, and sin has been a cornerstone of Western philosophical and theological inquiry.

Philosopher/Tradition View on Desire Role in Sin
Plato Part of the soul, often unruly; needs reason's governance. Unchecked appetites lead to unjust actions.
Aristotle Natural, but must be moderated by virtue; irrational desires exist. Lack of temperance or self-control allows desire to overpower reason.
St. Augustine Love (desire) is fundamental; sin is disordered love. The will chooses to turn away from God (the supreme good) towards lesser, temporal goods due to inordinate desire.
St. Thomas Aquinas Natural appetites (concupiscible, irascible) are good; sin arises from their disordered pursuit. Will chooses against reason and divine law, often swayed by intense sensory desire.
Immanuel Kant Inclinations (desires) are often heteronomous; moral action should be driven by duty. Acting on inclinations rather than the moral law, thereby failing in duty.

This table illustrates a recurring theme: while desire itself is often seen as a natural component of human existence, its unchecked or misdirected pursuit, facilitated by a consenting will, is consistently identified as the direct cause of sin.

Understanding desire as the cause of sin is not an indictment of human longing itself, but rather a call to self-awareness and moral cultivation. It beckons us to examine the objects of our desires, the intensity with which we pursue them, and the ultimate authority of our will over our inclinations.

To mitigate the potential for sin arising from desire, one must:

  • Cultivate Reason: Develop the capacity to discern between legitimate and disordered desires.
  • Strengthen the Will: Practice self-control and moral discipline, allowing the will to assert its proper authority over appetites.
  • Reorient Desire: Direct one's longings towards higher, more enduring goods, aligning them with virtue and ultimate truth.

By consciously engaging with our desires and exercising our will with prudence and wisdom, we can navigate the complex landscape of human longing, transforming potential sources of sin into pathways for virtuous living and genuine fulfillment. The battle against sin begins not in grand actions, but in the quiet chambers of the heart, where desire first stirs and the will makes its profound choice.

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Augustine on Will and Evil"

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Stoic Philosophy Control Emotions"

Share this post