The Pros And Cons Of Envy

When it comes down to thinking about the world today, sin is most prevalent. One of these sins might even feel like it is “encoded in our genes” as Antonio Cabarales said. Are feelings of wanting what someone else has and doing anything to obtain or ruin it positive or negative? There are both sides to the feeling of envy, but in society today it is most pronounced in a negative light. It can go from being a force that drives us as humans to reach success, to complete unhappiness while constantly dwelling on the feeling. Envy has been around since the beginning of time and is very common in everyday life.
Researchers have used experimental techniques to figure out and put reason behind this “sinful” sentiment. “There are powerful evolutionary …show more content…
This sin could even be said to have come from one of the great commandments in the Christian belief quoted in the bible “Though shalt not covet”. Religiously based, envy emanates a negative connotation as in causing unhappiness and tribulations while possessing the emotion. Therefore causing it to be classified as a sin.
Though envy is often connoted negatively, there is a constructive quality that may come with the attribute. It is natural for man to also use envy as a drive to reach their full potential. Mark Devon expresses “The more everyone strives for their highest potential rank, the more efficient a nation is.” There are many ways that the emotion may be found as a positive and this is just one of them.
All in all, Envy has roamed the earth since the beginning of time. It has caused great suffering and unhappiness and is most prevalent today in society in man’s day to day lives. Aristotle put it as “the pain caused by the good fortune of others” and depicts it perfectly. Its effect is enumerable and is just a part of us. Envy will constantly be in the world today and in the future. It is an attribute that makes man