This is my first sub stack read. What a great post! I would add that desires are not just "given" and there to be managed by reason. They can be introduced, cultivated, and nourished. Sometimes by our communities. I never had a desire for a laptop before it had been invented, but I do now. To quote Steve Jobs: "They'll know what they want when I give it to them." What do you think?
I agree that while desires (appetites) emerge innately from within us, they are not *only* "given." You're right that they can be introduced - the laptop example is a good one. Also you're right that desires/appetites can be cultivated and nourished. The key question is whether the desire is a rational one (leads toward the good) or an irrational one (leads toward the bad). "To what end?" I didn't want Doritos till they had been invented, but the cultivation of the advertisers to inflame my love for Doritos and encourage me to buy them in ever greater quantities doesn't lead me toward a good... Eating many Doritos, like much frosting, leads me away from the good of health, and in this it leads me away from flourishing rather than toward it.
The point you make about introducing, cultivating, and nourishing desires is a great one though - will be a post of its own at some point!
This is my first sub stack read. What a great post! I would add that desires are not just "given" and there to be managed by reason. They can be introduced, cultivated, and nourished. Sometimes by our communities. I never had a desire for a laptop before it had been invented, but I do now. To quote Steve Jobs: "They'll know what they want when I give it to them." What do you think?
Welcome to substack, and thanks for the comment.
I agree that while desires (appetites) emerge innately from within us, they are not *only* "given." You're right that they can be introduced - the laptop example is a good one. Also you're right that desires/appetites can be cultivated and nourished. The key question is whether the desire is a rational one (leads toward the good) or an irrational one (leads toward the bad). "To what end?" I didn't want Doritos till they had been invented, but the cultivation of the advertisers to inflame my love for Doritos and encourage me to buy them in ever greater quantities doesn't lead me toward a good... Eating many Doritos, like much frosting, leads me away from the good of health, and in this it leads me away from flourishing rather than toward it.
The point you make about introducing, cultivating, and nourishing desires is a great one though - will be a post of its own at some point!