Faustian Bargain Store

Remember John’s Bargain Stores, the chain that closed in the 70s? These outlets offered goods on the cheap. But what if you’re looking for Faustian bargains? To begin with how exactly are they defined? In the original myth, Faust sells his soul to Mephistopheles for knowledge. Naturally the idea derives directly from Eve whose fall came from eating the forbidden fruit. It’s one degree of separation from the Greek notion of hubris or overreaching. To be happy, man must treat understanding the way Epicurus did food, observing the golden mean. In medieval times, this might also involve the four elements: bile, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Overreaching like overeating results in a stomach ache. Still there’s a kind of aspirational sensibility that's by definition never satisfied. You’ll find these personality types at the top of the queue at Faust’s and they'll go to any length to achieve their aims. You can’t trust these Faustian bargain seekers since pride, morality and certainly the feelings of others will be thrown to the wayside in the service of their appetites. Let’s say someone said I can give you the equation for cold fusion and you will become the master of the universe. That the kind of sale they run at Faust’s.