Desire as the Cause of Sin: An Examination of the Human Condition

Summary: From the earliest philosophical inquiries into human nature, the assertion that desire serves as a fundamental cause of sin has echoed through the ages. This article explores how our inherent appetites, when unchecked by reason or a rightly ordered Will, can lead to transgressions against moral law, personal virtue, and even the divine. Drawing upon the rich tapestry of thought found in the Great Books of the Western World, we delve into the mechanisms by which desire incites, and a misguided Will consents, ultimately culminating in what we define as sin.

The Primal Urge and the Moral Fall

Human existence is inextricably linked to desire. We yearn for sustenance, companionship, knowledge, beauty, and countless other objects and experiences. This capacity for longing is not inherently malevolent; indeed, it is the engine of striving, creativity, and progress. However, history's great thinkers have consistently identified a profound paradox: this very engine, when misdirected or allowed to run rampant, becomes the primary cause of our moral failings. It is in the unruly realm of desire that the seeds of sin are often sown, challenging the very foundations of ethical conduct and spiritual well-being.

Defining Desire and Sin in the Philosophical Tradition

To understand how desire causes sin, we must first clarify our terms within a philosophical context.

What is Desire?

Philosophers have conceptualized desire in various ways:

  • Plato's Appetitive Soul: For Plato, desire (epithymia) represents the lowest part of the soul, concerned with bodily pleasures and material possessions. When this part dominates, it pulls the individual away from reason and virtue.
  • Aristotle's Concupiscible Appetite: Aristotle recognized desire as a natural movement towards what is perceived as good or pleasant. The problem arises when these appetites conflict with the dictates of reason or lead to excess, thereby hindering the pursuit of eudaimonia (flourishing).
  • Augustine's Disordered Love: St. Augustine viewed desire as a form of love. When this love is directed towards transient, worldly goods in a way that turns us away from the ultimate good (God), it becomes disordered and thus a potential cause of sin.

What is Sin?

Beyond its strictly theological definition, sin in a broader philosophical sense can be understood as:

  • An Act Against Reason: A deviation from what is rational, virtuous, or in accordance with natural law.
  • A Failure of Moral Will: A choice to pursue a lesser good over a greater good, or to act against one's better judgment.
  • A Disordered State: A condition where the various parts of the soul or the individual's priorities are out of alignment, leading to harmful actions.

The connection becomes clear: when desire pulls us towards an object or action that is contrary to reason, virtue, or our ultimate good, and we succumb to it, that act constitutes sin.

The Crucial Role of the Will

While desire may incite, it is the Will that ultimately consents or resists. The Will is humanity's unique faculty of choice, the executive power of the soul, meant to be guided by reason.

  • The Will as Governor: Ideally, the Will acts as the governor of our desires, ensuring they serve our higher purposes and align with moral principles. It is the Will that allows us to choose delayed gratification, self-sacrifice, or adherence to duty even when faced with compelling desire.
  • The Corrupted Will: St. Augustine, in particular, grappled deeply with the problem of the Will. He argued that sin is not merely the result of strong desire, but of a corrupted Will that chooses to yield to that desire. The Will itself, in its freedom, can choose to turn away from goodness, making it the ultimate cause of sin, even if desire provides the temptation. It is the Will that desires to sin, or desires to follow a disordered desire.
  • The Weak Will: Often, we know what is right, but our Will proves too weak to overcome a powerful desire. This internal conflict highlights the continuous struggle within the human psyche, where reason and Will must constantly strive to master the appetites.

The Mechanism of Sin: From Impulse to Transgression

The journey from a mere impulse of desire to the commission of sin is a process that involves several stages, often requiring the active or passive involvement of the Will.

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Video by: The School of Life

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