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	Vice is a practice or habit considered immoral, depraved, and/or degrading in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a defect, an infirmity or merely a bad habit. Synonyms for vice include fault, depravity, sin, iniquity, wickedness and corruption. The modern English English language English is a West Germanic language that originated in Anglo-Saxon England and has lingua franca status in many parts of the world as a result of the military, economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the British Empire in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and that of the United States from the mid 20th century onwa... term that best captures its original meaning is the word vicious, which means "full of vice". In this sense, the word vice comes from the Latin Latin Latin is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Military history of the Roman Empire, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe.... word vitium, meaning "failing or defect". Vice is the opposite of virtue Virtue Virtue is morality excellence. Personal virtues are characteristics Value as promoting individual and collective well-being, and thus Goodness and value theory by definition.... . Vice is also a generic legal term for criminal offenses involving prostitution, lewdness, lasciviousness and obscenity. Illegal forms of gambling are also often included as a vice in law enforcement departments that deal with gambling as a crime. Overview of religious views on vice One way of organizing the vices is as the corruption of the virtues. A virtue can be corrupted by non-use, abuse or overuse. Thus the cardinal vices would be lust Lust Lust is an inordinate craving for coitus often to the point of assuming a self-indulgent, and sometimes violent character. Lust, or an immoderate desire for the flesh of another , is considered a sin, or impure act, in all of the Abrahamic religions.... (non-use of temperance Temperance (virtue) Temperance is the practice of moderation. It was one of the four "cardinal" virtues held to be vital to society in Ancient Greece culture. It is one of the Four Cardinal Virtues considered central to Christian behaviour by the Catholic Church and is an important tenet of the moral codes of other world religions—for example, it is... ), cowardice Cowardice Cowardice describes a personality trait which is typically viewed as a negative characteristic and has been generally frowned upon within most, if not all global cultures, while courage - typically viewed as its direct opposite - is generally rewarded and encouraged.... (non-use of courage Courage Courage, also known as bravery, will, intrepidity, and fortitude, is the ability to confront fear, pain, Risk, uncertainty, or intimidation.... ), folly (abuse of a virtue, opposite of wisdom Wisdom Wisdom is knowledge, understanding, experience, discretion, and Intuition , along with a capacity to apply these qualities well towards finding solutions to problems.... ), and venality Venality Venality is a vice associated with being for sale, especially when one should act justice instead. This is mostly considered a vice rather than a virtue.... (non-use of justice Justice Justice is the concept of morality rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, fairness and equity."... ). See: The four Western virtues Virtue Virtue is morality excellence. Personal virtues are characteristics Value as promoting individual and collective well-being, and thus Goodness and value theory by definition.... . The Christian vices Christians believe that there are two kinds of vice: those which originate with the physical organism as perverse instincts (such as lust), and those which originate with false idolatry in the spiritual realm. The first kind, although sinful, are believed to be less serious than the second. Some vices recognized as spiritual by Christians are blasphemy Blasphemy Blasphemy is the disrespectful use of the name of one or more Deity. It may include using sacred names as stress expletives without intention to pray or speak of sacred matters; it is also sometimes defined as language expressing disapproved beliefs, or disbelief.... (holiness Holiness Holiness is a synonym for sanctity, the state of being holy or sacred.Holiness means to be set apartHoliness may also refer to:* Holiness movement, a specific tradition within evangelical Christianity... betrayed), apostasy Apostasy Apostasy is the formal religious disaffiliation or abandonment or renunciation of one's religion, especially if the motive is deemed unworthy. In a technical sense, as used sometimes by sociology without the pejorative connotations of the word, the term refers to renunciation and criticism of, or opposition to, one's former religion.... (faith Faith Faith is the confident belief in the truth of or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. It is also used for a belief, characteristically without proof.... betrayed), despair Despair Despair or hopelessness is the loss of hope. It can also refer to:* Despair , a 1936 novel by Vladimir Nabokov* Despair , a 1978 film adapted by Tom Stoppard from the above and directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder... (hope Hope Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.... betrayed), hatred Hatred Hatred is a word that describes intense feelings of dislike. It can be used in a wide variety of contexts, from hatred of inanimate objects to hatred of other people, or even entire groups of people.... (love Love (religious views) Whether religious love can be expressed in similar terms to interpersonal love is a matter for philosophical debate. Religious 'love' might be considered a euphemistic term, more closely describing feelings of deference or acquiescence.... betrayed) and indifference Indifference Indifference may refer to:apathy, the lack of emotion, motivation, or enthusiasm; a psychological term for a state of indifference ."Indifference " a song in the Valse Musette style.... (scripturally, a "hardened heart Heart The heart is a muscle organ in all vertebrates responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions, or a similar structure in annelids, mollusks, and arthropods.... "). Christian theologians have reasoned that the most destructive vice equates to a certain type of pride Pride Pride is, depending upon context, either a high sense of the worth of one's self and one's own, or a pleasure taken in the contemplation of these things.... or the complete idolatry of the self. It is argued that through this vice, which is essentially competitive, all the worst evils come into being. In Judeo-Christian creeds it originally led to the Fall of Man, and as a purely diabolical spiritual vice, it outweighs anything else often condemned by the Church. Roman Catholic teachings concerning vices The Roman Catholic Church distinguishes between vice, which is a habit inclining one to sin, and the sin itself, which is an individual morally wrong act. Note that in Roman Catholicism, the word "sin" also refers to the state which befalls one upon committing a morally wrong act; in this section, the word will always mean the sinful act. It is the sin, and not the vice, which deprives one of God's sanctifying grace and renders one deserving of God's punishment Punishment Punishment is the practice of imposing something suffering on a person or animal, usually in response to disobedient or morally wrong behavior.... . Saint Thomas Aquinas Thomas Aquinas Saint Thomas Aquinas, Dominican Order was a priest of the Roman Catholic Church in the Dominican Order from Italy, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus and Doctor Communis.... taught that "absolutely speaking, the sin surpasses the vice in wickedness" . On the other hand, even after a person's sins have been forgiven Sacrament of Penance (Catholic Church) In Roman Catholic teaching, the Sacraments of Penance is the method given by Christ to the Church by which individual men and women may be freed from sins committed after receiving Baptism.... , the underlying habit (the vice) may remain. Just as vice was created in the first place by repeatedly yielding to the temptation to sin, so vice may be removed only by repeatedly resisting temptation and performing virtuous acts; the more entrenched the vice, the more time and effort needed to remove it. Saint Thomas Aquinas says that following rehabilitation and the acquisition of virtue Virtue Virtue is morality excellence. Personal virtues are characteristics Value as promoting individual and collective well-being, and thus Goodness and value theory by definition.... s, the vice does not persist as a habit, but rather as a mere disposition, and one that is in the process of being eliminated. Dante's seven deadly vices Pride Pride Pride is, depending upon context, either a high sense of the worth of one's self and one's own, or a pleasure taken in the contemplation of these things.... or vanity Vanity In conventional parlance, vanity is the excessive belief in one's own abilities or attractiveness to others. In many religions vanity is considered a form of self-idolatry, in which one rejects God for the sake of one's own , and thereby becomes divorced from the Divine graces of God.... — an excessive love of the self (holding the self outside of its proper position regarding God or fellows; Dante's definition was "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbor"). In the Latin lists of the Seven Deadly Sins Seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a classification of the most objectionable vices that were originally used in early Christian teachings to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen man's tendency to sin.... , pride is referred to as superbia. Avarice (covetousness, greed Greed Sorry, no overview for this topic ) — a desire to possess more than one has need or use for (or according to Dante, "excessive love of money and power"). In the Latin lists of the Seven Deadly Sins Seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a classification of the most objectionable vices that were originally used in early Christian teachings to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen man's tendency to sin.... , avarice is referred to as avaritia. Lust Lust Lust is an inordinate craving for coitus often to the point of assuming a self-indulgent, and sometimes violent character. Lust, or an immoderate desire for the flesh of another , is considered a sin, or impure act, in all of the Abrahamic religions.... — excessive sexual desire. Dante's criterion was that "lust detracts from true love". In the Latin lists of the Seven Deadly Sins Seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a classification of the most objectionable vices that were originally used in early Christian teachings to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen man's tendency to sin.... , lust is referred to as luxuria. Wrath or anger Anger Anger is an emotional state that may range from minor irritation to intense rage. The physical effects of anger include increased heart rate, blood pressure,and levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline.... — feelings of hatred, revenge or denial, as well as punitive desires outside of justice (Dante's description was "love of justice perverted to revenge and spite"). In the Latin lists of the Seven Deadly Sins Seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a classification of the most objectionable vices that were originally used in early Christian teachings to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen man's tendency to sin.... , wrath is referred to as ira. Gluttony Gluttony Derived from the Latin gluttire, meaning to gulp down or swallow, gluttony is the over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or intoxicants to the point of waste.... — overindulgence in food, drink or intoxicants, or misplaced desire of food as a pleasure for its sensuality ("excessive love of pleasure" was Dante's rendering). In the Latin lists of the Seven Deadly Sins Seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a classification of the most objectionable vices that were originally used in early Christian teachings to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen man's tendency to sin.... , gluttony is referred to as gula. Envy Envy Envy may be defined as an emotion that "occurs when a person lacks another?s [perceived] superior quality, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it." It can also derive from a sense of low self-esteem that results from an upward social comparison threatening a person's self image: another person... or jealousy Jealousy Jealousy typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety that occur when a person believes an item of value is being threatened .... - resentment of others for their possessions (Dante: "love of one's own good perverted to a desire to deprive other men of theirs"). In the Latin lists of the Seven Deadly Sins Seven deadly sins The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, are a classification of the most objectionable vices that were originally used in early Christian teachings to educate and instruct followers concerning fallen man's tendency to sin.... , envy is referred to as invidia. Sloth Sloth (deadly sin) In the Christian moral tradition, sloth is one of the seven capital sins, often called the seven deadly sins; these sins are called the capital sins because they destroy charity in the person's heart and thus may lead to final impenitence and eternal death.... or laziness Laziness Laziness is a disinclination to activity or exertion despite having the ability to do so. It is often used as a pejorative. Chronic laziness may be an underlying psychological condition.... ; idleness and wastefulness of time and/or other allotted resources. Laziness is condemned because it results in others having to work harder; also, useful work will not be done. Sloth is referred to in Latin as accidie or acedia. Popular usage The term vice is also popularly applied to various activities considered immoral by some: a list of these might include the abuse of alcohol Alcoholic beverage An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol . Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and distilled beverage.... and other recreational drug Recreational drug use Recreational drug use is the use of psychoactive drugs for recreational purposes rather than for employment, Medicine or Spirituality purposes, although the distinction is not always clear .... s, gambling Gambling Gambling is the wikt:wager#Verb of money or something of material Value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods.... , smoking, recklessness, cheating, lying and selfishness Selfishness Selfishness denotes the precedence given in thought or deed to the self, i.e., self interest or self concern. It is the act of placing one's own needs or desires above the needs or desires of others.... . It is also used in reference to police vice unit Vice unit A vice unit or vice squad is a department in many Police that investigates public order crimes. This generally includes narcotics, alcohol , prostitution, pornography and gambling.... s who prosecute crimes associated with these activities. Often, vice particularly designates a failure to comply with the sexual mores Mores Mores are norm or convention s. Mores derive from the established practices of a society rather than its written laws. They consist of shared understandings about the kinds of behaviour likely to evoke approval, disapproval, toleration or sanction, within particular contexts.... of the time and place such as sexual promiscuity. Behaviors or attitudes going against the established virtues of the culture may also be called vices: for instance, effeminacy Effeminacy Effeminacy describes having traits that are more often associated with traditional femininity gender roles rather than masculinity roles.It is a term frequently applied to femininity; or womanly behavior, demeanor, and appearance displayed by a man, typically used implying criticism or ridicule of this behavior .... is considered a vice in a culture espousing masculinity Masculinity Masculinity is manly character. It specifically describes men and boys , that is personal and human, unlike male which can also be used to describe animals, or masculine which can also be used to describe noun classes.... as an essential element of the character of males. See also Vice unit Vice unit A vice unit or vice squad is a department in many Police that investigates public order crimes. This generally includes narcotics, alcohol , prostitution, pornography and gambling.... Virtue Virtue Virtue is morality excellence. Personal virtues are characteristics Value as promoting individual and collective well-being, and thus Goodness and value theory by definition.... Sin Sin Sin is a term used mainly in a religion context to describe an act that violates a morality rule, or the state of having committed such a violation.... Golden mean (philosophy) Golden mean (philosophy) In philosophy, especially that of Aristotle, the golden mean is the desirable middle between two extremes, one of excess and the other of deficiency.... Roman decadence Roman decadence Roman decadence was the gradual decline in the ancient Roman republican values of family, virtus , and Dignitas that ultimately led to the decay of Rome.... Bibliography Virtues and Vices, Aristotle, trans. H. Rackman, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 1992. Vol #285. In the Garden of Evil: The Vices and Culture in the Middle Ages. Edited by Richard Newhauser, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto 2005 ISBN 0-88844-818-X Sources All etymologies Etymology Etymology is the study of the roots and history of words; and how their form and meaning have changed over time.In languages with a long detailed history, etymology makes use of philology, the study of how words change from culture to culture over time.... are according to the Oxford English Dictionary Oxford English Dictionary The *Oxford English Dictionary* , published by the Oxford University Press , is a comprehensive dictionary of the English language. Two fully-bound print editions of the OED have been published under its current name, in 1928 and 1989; as of December 2008 the dictionary's current editors have completed a quarter of the third edition.... .