Episode 37: Edgar Allan Poe on Sin and Perverseness

In this gothic episode, consider whether there's a difference between perversion and Perverseness. Make the connection between St. Paul in Romans 7 and Poe as he imagines things in "The Black Cat" and "The Imp of the Perverse." Part of the argument here is that any view of human nature (and mind) that neglects to take serious note of the impulse to sin must be recognized as shallower, and less realistic, than the optimistic and utopian descriptions of man as perfectible. That means no, I can't always be as optimistic as family and friends might like -- but I have a good reason: I want to stay attuned to reality, and not fall into idolatrous habits when it comes to thinking about ideal outcomes. The reality is, people screw things up -- it's only when you really understand and internalize that, and build system of organization with THAT as the fundamental insight (humankind is not perfectible)... it's only then that you might approach creating a tolerable civilization. Errr, something...https://www.patreon.com/Godward?fan_landing=true