Whether it is hubris, greed, gambling, or an unhealthy addiction to the sound tennis balls make when rubbed together, every human has his vice: his immoral habit. Many humans have seemingly superficial vices such as alcoholism, drug usage, and taking a penny from the “Take-A-Penny, Leave-A-Penny” tray*, located in fine gas stations everywhere, without leaving a penny, but some people have a deeper vice that controls their lives. In the case of Dorian Gray, his wish of everlasting youth, to live forever, is a grand idea that has plagued the minds of many for as long as death has been a part of our society. To have eternal youth clearly has its consequences, though; much like living forever, one may watch their loved ones die as they continue through life without attempting to make another connection with people. Whether people like it or not, the flaws of others make up the complexity of society, for where would humans be if they were perfect in every way? The answer is humans would be nowhere because they have lost their humanity, their vices, their individuality. Holly mentioned that “…some of our behaviors must reflect the demons of our nature…” This makes complete sense when applied to those people with criminal or illegal vices; thieves can steal simply to satiate their greed while alcoholics may drink to forget their past vices. Some people who practice religion know the impact of vices on the mortal soul, but what is the soul exactly? Is it some ethereal part of the human body where one’s morals come from and where one’s true emotions lie? Is there a reason to have a soul?
The legend of Doctor Faust, the successful German scholar, whose insatiable quest for all of the knowledge in the world led him to make a deal with the devil, selling his soul to Mephistopheles for such knowledge is a fantastic comparison to Dorian Gray’s wish of eternal youth. If the devil considered one’s soul to be worth more than knowledge, how could everlasting youth be any different? It is hard to imagine that worldly desires can so easily overwhelm what is believed to be the purest and most important part of the body. I myself feel a twinge of sadness for Faust because his vice is my own: knowledge is beautiful and an important thing to have in a world that demands answers and solutions at a moment’s notice. However, I believe that vices are not as bad as they seem; vices are a way to face life, to understand one’s own humanity. To recognize one’s flaws is important to being human, but indulging these vices is what truly makes us human. To have a specific vice or flaw is essential to human nature, though, for flaws give humans something to work at in the age-old want of perfection. In the end, however, perfection is impossible, but knowing you have faced your vice may be enough to live a perfect life.
That is an interesting idea, that vices are necessary to be human (at least, that was my interpretation). I wonder if anyone can truly be vice-less, and if they were, would they be human, or rather, a god? Perhaps the desire to overcome vices may be a drive throughout a person's adult life, but I feel as if it is a process that will never end. It would seem that this class and my Psychology class often discuss similar topics at the same time. In Psychology, we have spoken about morality, and how it develops through a person's life (using Lawrence Kohlberg's theory). Although your question, "Is it some ethereal part of the human body where one’s morals come from..." may have been rhetorical, I will answer it this way. Individual morals are developed by the major sources of morality in one's life. Your parents' morals often contribute a large part of what you think is moral, as well as the morals of friends and ever-present media.
ReplyDeletePeopl's vices are indeed a basic human need. Some people have less vices, but then may grow up to be aimless and structureless. Others have too many vices, and may even develop OCD. Yet still, everyone must have their vices. They help keep us contained and restrained. They make life easier by us because man can not live of free will alone. As Wilde said, "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it." Vices remove the temptation. Thank god for vices.
ReplyDelete