Concu ... what? | Concupiscence
Old categories rediscovered in 300 words or less
Concupiscience is a very useful category in understanding modern life. Totally unique for each person, yet completely similar in structure; concupiscience shows a person’s lack of self control.
Humans have two appetites, a higher and a lower appetite. Each appetite is orientated towards its own goal.
The lower appetite orientates towards satisfying the senses. Examples would be of hunger, thirst, sexual desire or greed and anger. Whenever you desire another piece of chocolate cake, then your lower appetite is on display.
The higher appetite orientates towards the good of your whole person. This means rightly ordering yourself and your actions by using right reason so that you can achieve the greatest good possible. For example, when you refuse yourself that first chocolate slice because it is Lent, or you honour your diet - your higher appetite is working for a better less sensual good.
When the lower appetite is left unrestrained or abandoned to pleasure by the higher order of reason, then concupiscience is on display.
Concupiscience is a very useful category. At a glance it reveals who has a problem with self control in any area of their life.
Overweight? - unrestrained regarding food.
Lustful thoughts? - unrestrained regarding sexuality.
Quick to rage? - unrestrained emotions.
Concupiscience is a category that has sadly been lost or at least forgotten as unhelpful.
This is because, concupiscience reminds us of the potential to be a person of self control. And this is an uncomfortable truth.
A rightly ordered appetite [read: a moral person] is when reason is used to instruct and control the body with its lower appetites.
Reason guides you in the use of your body and things.
Concupiscience warns you of the passions of the flesh. The flesh or the body always drive the person into unrestrained actions.
this is in line with stoicism (of which I am a fan):
- happiness is found in virtue, i.e. strive for the best for everyone, do not act selfishly and materialistically
- you cannot control all external things, but you can control yourself, i.e. you are responsible for governing yourself, not blaming external things and acting like a victim
- eliminate toxic emotions, i.e. emotions like anger (temporary insanity), lust, panic, desperation, etc are not helpful.
I like your use of the Catholic term concupiscence and it's framing in terms of "lower appetites" and it's juxtaposition with "higher appetites".
Brings new meaning to the idea of going on a diet.