Man, Sin, and the Modern Lens

April 4, 2026

TL;DR

The definition and understanding of rhetoric have fallen from its classical status as a core art of discourse to a term often associated with mere wordiness or bombast.
Historically, envy was a subject of serious philosophical and moral contemplation, recognized as socially and spiritually corrosive by thinkers like Aquinas, Kant, and Smith.
The social science revolution led to the disappearance of envy as a serious subject of study, as progressive agendas allegedly depend on it.
Pride, once considered the 'queen of sins' in classical Christian understanding, is now redefined as a positive sense of self-worth or accomplishment.
Gluttony, lust, and wrath have also been reframed, with modern perspectives focusing on bodily aesthetics, self-expression, or political mobilization rather than inherent sinfulness.
Greed is still seen as a sin but primarily due to its impact on others, with the denouncement often driven by envy itself.
Sloth and despair are discussed by social science as systemic or psychological problems, removing personal agency and responsibility.
The author suggests that a return to older philosophical views, looking through 'the other end of the telescope,' could help individuals shed entitlement and embrace gratitude.

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