What’s different now isn’t the underlying susceptibility, it’s that technology and concentrated commercial power have made these vulnerabilities impossible to ignore.
Thanks so much Troylana! That's an interesting reflection. I suppose one way we could describe it is cult-like dynamics show up in both mainstream and fringe religions. People hand over their agency, become obsessed, engage in ritual, have significant identity changes, all of which can cause harm to self and others. The linguistic origin of the word "addict" in English comes from devotion in a religious context: to give over or devote oneself in a way that surrenders some capacity for willful action. That usage goes back to the 16th century, so by all means it makes sense to link addiction and religion today.
The philosopher Harry Frankfurt talked about willing and unwilling addicts. The unwilling are people who say their higher order desires are not to be addicted-- they are trying to change and feel like they can't. The willing are those who don't have a conflict between their higher order desire and their first order desire--they acknowledge and endorse their addiction, saying it's what they truly want to do, even if others see it as harmful. In cases of harmful devotion to religion, I would guess more people feel like the latter than the former..
I will never forget when I read in your book, The Urge, that dice were the OG of addictions. And, wow, what it’s evolved into is almost inconceivable. Thanks for another compelling read. 💙
Interesting to note the incredible devastating impact on lives that gambling has.
Carl, have you considered writing about the parallels religion as a compulsion that also can negatively impacts lives in such devastating ways?
I really enjoyed this piece on gambling.💕
Thanks so much Troylana! That's an interesting reflection. I suppose one way we could describe it is cult-like dynamics show up in both mainstream and fringe religions. People hand over their agency, become obsessed, engage in ritual, have significant identity changes, all of which can cause harm to self and others. The linguistic origin of the word "addict" in English comes from devotion in a religious context: to give over or devote oneself in a way that surrenders some capacity for willful action. That usage goes back to the 16th century, so by all means it makes sense to link addiction and religion today.
The philosopher Harry Frankfurt talked about willing and unwilling addicts. The unwilling are people who say their higher order desires are not to be addicted-- they are trying to change and feel like they can't. The willing are those who don't have a conflict between their higher order desire and their first order desire--they acknowledge and endorse their addiction, saying it's what they truly want to do, even if others see it as harmful. In cases of harmful devotion to religion, I would guess more people feel like the latter than the former..
I will never forget when I read in your book, The Urge, that dice were the OG of addictions. And, wow, what it’s evolved into is almost inconceivable. Thanks for another compelling read. 💙