The definition of desire should reveal the essence of desire. In other words, the essence of desire depends on revealing the definition of desire.

The opposite of desire is disgust, and the transition zone between them is abstinence.

Desire-abstinence-disgust

To reveal the essence of desire, we must analyze the characteristics of desire:

① Natural attribute: It is closely related to human physiological process.

The most common types of desires related to natural attributes are appetite and sexual desire.

② Social attribute: A. Being induced by other people's words and deeds. Gillard believes that our desires are "imitative". B. subject to social norms, including moral and legal constraints. The word c desire is derogatory, and no one says that "my (his) desire is to serve the people". Related synonyms are wish, vision, expectation, ideal and so on.

The most common types of desires related to social attributes are imitation desire (envy others), expression desire (show yourself) and domination desire (control others).

③ Spiritual attribute: it is not an objective need, but a subjective desire (psychological tendency), which is the essential attribute of desire.

The most common types of desires related to spiritual attributes are curiosity and transcendence (a rare expression of "innovative desire").

On the basis of analyzing the characteristics of desire, we can reveal the essence of desire and give a concise definition of desire:

Desire is a psychological desire for something formed on the basis of physiological process, social fashion and cultural accumulation.

2, the root of desire (why there is desire)

The characteristics of desire reflect the root of desire:

① Physiological origin. Appetite and sexual desire are psychological reflections of human physiological processes.

② Social roots. The desire to imitate, express and dominate are people's psychological reflections on the social environment.

③ Spiritual root. Curiosity and transcendence are people's psychological reflections on cultural accumulation.

3. Adjustment of desire (how to treat desire)

In the psychological structure, desire is dominated by emotion and permeated with knowledge (rationality) and will; So desire can be regulated by reason and will.

It is difficult to fill a person's desires and troubles. In order to control desire, people put forward four propositions.

One is the indulgence theory, which holds that life is short, so we should seize the time to enjoy ourselves and indulge our desires. However, the excessive indulgence of individuals will inevitably harm the interests of others. Moreover, desire is infinitely renewable, and the more vertical it is, the more unsatisfied it is. In this way, it will start with indulgence and end with pain, which will harm both yourself and others, and the road to indulgence will not work.

The second is the theory of abstinence. The basic idea is that since desire is the source of pain, it is better to suppress or simply eliminate desire in order to eliminate pain. Taoism requires abstinence, while Buddhism further wants to use the power of Daxiong to extinguish desire and suffering. Taoism, Buddhism and other abstinence thoughts look beautiful, but they are actually difficult to achieve. Abstinence and abstinence are not feasible.

The third is abstinence theory. Desire can't be vertical or extinct, so the most feasible thing is to be reasonable and moderate. Reasonable and appropriate "principles" are etiquette, that is, social laws, systems, policies, regulations, customs, habits and other social norms; Secondly, moral concept, that is, everyone's moral strength and willpower, is a spiritual fence to prevent desire from derailing and breaking the ban.

The fourth is the theory of transcendence. Social etiquette and moral concepts are essential to the regulation of desire, but both of them are compulsory with dissidents, which makes the subject feel pain and helplessness to varying degrees. In order to let the subject get rid of pain and helplessness and enter the realm of freedom and consciousness, people have found a fourth way to treat desire, that is, spiritual understanding is transcendence.

See: Hu. Wandering on the horizon of spiritual yearning [N]. Journal of Social Sciences, 20 12.438+00.6438+08.