In multiple cultures, Faustian bargains exist in legends in varying degrees. Basically, a Faustian bargain consists of a naive person craving power, knowledge, love, etc and a demon or supernatural higher power. The person sells their soul away to acquire what they most greatly crave. These legends derive from Dr. Faustus, a play written by Christopher Marlowe. In this play Dr. Faustus wishes for knowledge, so he summons a demon and ends up selling his soul to Lucifer. On his final day, before he is taken to Hell, he attempts to repent, regretting his decision. It was too late for Dr. Faustus though. The lesson here is that selling your soul, whether it be your legitimate soul or figurative soul, comes with a price and typically ends with regret. If you have to sell your soul, it most likely is not worth it.
In our society today, people do not sell their legitimate souls, but figuratively they do often. Our whole society and economy is based on a Faustian bargain. We take finite resources from the environment daily. On the one side, the economy expands and we have resources that allow our population to expand. On the other side though, our industries have signed their souls away in the sense that eventually, the human race will ruin this world and use up all of these resources. These bargains also occur in relationships and the business world. Some people will give up anything for someone they love, but end up hurt in the end. In the business world, some people are ruthless and will do anything to get to the top. They do things that end friendships and soil their reputation. People do not ever think of the consequences. They have their eye on the prize and that's all that matters to them. People in today's society should learn from Dr. Faustus; every deal they make comes with a price.
