The Double-Edged Sword: The Role of Desire in Virtue and Vice

Desire, often seen as a fundamental human impulse, plays a pivotal role in shaping our moral character, acting as both a catalyst for virtue and a slippery slope to vice. From the ancient Greeks to medieval theologians, philosophers within the Great Books of the Western World have grappled with how our appetites and longings, when guided by reason and the will, can lead to noble actions, or conversely, when unchecked, can precipitate moral downfall. Understanding this dynamic is central to comprehending human agency and the pursuit of a good life.

Defining Desire in the Philosophical Tradition

Before we can fully appreciate its role, we must first understand what philosophers mean by "desire." Far from a simple craving, philosophical inquiry into desire often categorizes it into different forms. Aristotle, for instance, spoke of orexis, a general term for appetite or striving, which encompasses both rational and irrational desires. Plato distinguished between various parts of the soul, each with its own form of desire: the appetitive part (driven by bodily needs and pleasures), the spirited part (seeking honor and recognition), and the rational part (desiring truth and understanding).

These distinctions are crucial because they highlight that not all desires are equal, nor are they inherently good or bad. Their moral valence emerges from their object, their intensity, and, most importantly, how they are managed by reason and will.

Desire as a Pathway to Virtue

Paradoxically, the very impulses that can lead us astray are also indispensable for achieving virtue. Without desire, there would be no motivation for action, no striving for improvement, no longing for justice or beauty.

Reason's Guiding Hand

For philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, virtue is not about eradicating desire but about ordering it correctly. Reason's role is to discern what is truly good and to direct our desires towards those ends. A virtuous person desires the right things, at the right time, in the right measure.

Consider temperance: it is not the absence of desire for pleasure, but the desire for pleasure in moderation, guided by reason. A temperate person enjoys food and drink but does not allow these desires to overwhelm their judgment or health. Similarly, courage involves a desire to do what is right, even in the face of fear, which is itself a desire for self-preservation. The courageous individual desires to protect others or uphold justice more than they desire to avoid danger.

Cultivating Virtuous Desires

The cultivation of virtue often involves training our desires. Through repeated action, what might initially feel like a struggle against base impulses can eventually transform into a desire for noble actions. Aristotle argued that we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts. Over time, these actions shape our character, making it easier and more natural to desire and perform virtuous deeds.

The Perils of Unchecked Desire: The Road to Vice

While desire is essential for virtue, it is also the primary source of vice when allowed to run rampant, unconstrained by reason or will.

Appetites Unbound

When our appetites for pleasure, wealth, or power become dominant, they can lead us away from the path of virtue. Gluttony, lust, and greed are prime examples of vices stemming from an excessive or misdirected pursuit of desire. In these cases, the desire itself isn't inherently evil, but its unchecked nature leads to imbalance, harm, and moral corruption.

The Seeds of Moral Corruption

Philosophers like Augustine highlighted the destructive power of disordered desire, particularly concupiscence – a strong, often irrational, longing that can lead to sin. When the will succumbs to such desires, individuals can find themselves enslaved by their passions, making choices that are detrimental to themselves and others. Envy, for example, is a vice born from a desire for what another possesses, coupled with resentment, leading to actions that undermine both the envious and the envied.

The following table illustrates how desire can manifest in both virtuous and vicious outcomes:

Virtue Role of Desire in Virtue Vice Role of Desire in Vice
Temperance Desire for moderation; control over bodily appetites. Gluttony/Lust Unchecked desire for pleasure, excess, gratification.
Courage Desire to protect what is good; overcome fear for higher purpose. Cowardice Desire for safety and comfort overriding duty or moral imperative.
Justice Desire for fairness and equitable distribution. Greed/Envy Desire for disproportionate gain, others' possessions.
Magnanimity Desire for great and noble achievements. Vainglory Desire for excessive praise or recognition without merit.

The Crucial Interplay of Desire and Will

The ultimate role of desire in virtue and vice hinges on its interaction with the will. It is the will that ultimately decides whether to yield to a desire, to resist it, or to guide it towards a rational and moral end.

Plato's Charioteer and the Soul's Harmony

Plato's famous allegory of the charioteer vividly illustrates this dynamic. The soul is likened to a chariot driven by a charioteer (reason) and pulled by two winged horses: one noble and white (representing the spirited desires for honor and glory) and one unruly and dark (representing the appetitive desires for bodily pleasures). For the chariot to fly true and achieve virtue, the charioteer must exert firm control over both horses, guiding their powerful energies in harmony. Without the horses, there is no movement; without the charioteer, there is chaos and inevitable descent into vice.

(Image: A classical relief sculpture depicting a charioteer firmly grasping the reins of two spirited horses, one white and one black, symbolizing reason controlling the noble and base desires of the soul as described by Plato.)

Aristotle's Practical Wisdom and Deliberate Choice

Aristotle further emphasized the will's role through his concept of phronesis, or practical wisdom. This intellectual virtue enables us to deliberate well about what is good for human life and to choose the right means to achieve it. It is through phronesis that reason informs the will, allowing us to make deliberate choices that align our desires with virtuous actions. The moral agent is not merely a slave to desire but possesses the capacity for rational choice.

The Medieval Perspective: Will's Supremacy

Medieval philosophers like Augustine and Aquinas further elevated the will's role. For them, the will possessed a unique freedom to choose good or evil, even against the strong pull of desire. While desire might incline us towards certain actions, it is the will that gives consent. Augustine, wrestling with his own struggles, famously articulated the internal conflict between what one knows to be good and what one desires to do, highlighting the will's ultimate responsibility. Aquinas, while acknowledging the influence of passions, maintained that human beings, through their rational will, are masters of their own actions and thus accountable for their virtues and vices.

Conclusion: Mastering Desire for a Virtuous Life

In conclusion, desire is an intrinsic and powerful force within the human psyche, indispensable for life itself. Its role in shaping our moral character is undeniable and profound. It is neither inherently good nor evil, but a raw material that can be forged into virtue or twisted into vice. The will, guided by reason, serves as the craftsman, determining the ultimate form. To live a virtuous life, as the great thinkers of the Western tradition have taught us, is not to extinguish desire, but to understand it, discipline it, and direct it towards noble ends, thereby achieving a harmonious soul and contributing to the good of the community.

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Plato's Chariot Allegory explained"

Video by: The School of Life

💡 Want different videos? Search YouTube for: "Aristotle on Virtue and Desire"

Share this post