Temptation

Life throws many competing influences at each of us daily. Decisions are omnipresent. Additionally, value is being assessed at every juncture in our experience. What is more important? What is right? What is wrong? Who is judging my actions? Is anyone paying attention to what I am doing? All of these questions and more flood our cognitive space.

Divergence is everywhere. Competing influences breeding moral compass checks follow a productive path. But, concerns can arise with the appropriateness of the choices that we make in our days. How can we make the "better" or "best" choice?

In many moral or religious circles, temptation is a popular issue. Vilified by some and dismissed by others, what is the nature of temptation? Is it correct or appropriate to choose something that tempts or prompts action?

For this discussion, let's come up with a working definition for temptation. First, temptation involves opportunity. To be tempted, there has to be some enticement to change or select something that is currently not in the possession of the individual tempted. Second, temptation usually involves a value judgment or a moral position. In other words, the tempted individual has to identify the temptation as a positive or negative entity.

Based on our working components of temptation, we can identify that the "temptation" ,in itself, is a neutral entity. The individual interacting with the temptation codifies the negative or positive value of interacting with a given temptation. The individual looks at the current state of his or her existence with a specific "temptation" present and identifies the potential problems or benefits of choosing to accept or disregard one or multiple given interactions with a particular "temptation."

By this working relationship of temptation and utility based on the individual, temptation could be viewed as either positive or negative in any situation. For example, a person could be tempted to give $100 to a charity to help impoverished individuals due to a personal focus on helping his or her community. A benevolent reason could be attached to this temptation. On the other hand, the same temptation could be acted upon to donate to a given charity with the sole desire to advance the social position of a given individual and gain influence with a select group by this apparent benevolent deed. The same temptation and a different motivation. So, temptation could be determined by the underlying motivation.

Also, temptation could be acted upon by well-thought out decision planning or haste driven decision. Most commonly, temptation has a particular negative context when it is paired with a feeling of lack. Culturally, a new acronym has developed over the past few years- F.O.M.O. Fear of Missing Out drives a great deal of retail buying. In terms of action, people may buy a product due more to fear of losing a good opportunity than to fulfill a pressing need. When a consumer goes into a store, signs may be present reading "One day only, super sale, limited time savings!" which causes panic and reaction in many clients. Value is rushed by a time pressure that loss will occur. F.O.M.O. rushes the decision making process and causes many opportunities or temptations be acted upon without complete contemplation of the impact of following a given choice.

Temptation, like human beings, is very complex and not static. As we grow, our choices evolve with our lives and needs. We advance in perception. Our moral perspective stratifies and splinters into a varied situational awareness. Right or wrong, good or bad, temptation is a thing appraised by the consumer. The use defines the impact or quality of a given "temptation." Like any item, object or event, we need to be aware and carefully respond and not rush impulsively to select a given decision or follow a particular "temptation." Careful planning leads to well-cared for results. Though nothing is guaranteed, the better planning involved in any area typically correlates to more positive outcomes.

The M.A.D. Dad