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Follow Your Heart's Desire or Not?

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You want her house. She wants your car. He wants your wife. They want more money.

Humans beings are cauldrons of desire. From the moment we wake up to the last raid on the fridge — and sometimes even in our dreams — we want fame, fortune, a piece of cake, a kiss, a vacation.

Desire can be a great motivator, the relentless engine that gets us up and out in the morning, back in the game, going for the gold - or at least a cup of good coffee.

Desire can also be a trap and a torment. Her husband isn't yours. That last pay raise didn't bring you paradise. And still, we want.

From the Buddha to bling, hear a conversation on why we want what we want, and the unending song of desire.

Guests:

William Irvine, professor of philosophy at Wright State University, author of "On Desire: Why We Want What We Want.";
Jack Beatty, On Point News Analyst, senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly

This program aired on November 8, 2005.

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