A study in lost causes
Sir: Mr Raven, in his interesting and amusing article 'A study in lost causes' (16 June), seems to equate vice with sexual pleasure and virtue with sexual abstinence. In other words, 'Alas, alas, that ever love was sin't No wonder the poor poets found themselves short on inspiration when dealing with such a negative and sterile concept. But change the definition of virtue to something more positive (e.g., behaviour that does not violate the integrity or personality of another human being) and then listen to the poets in their understanding that the real human problem is not simply a contest be- tween vice and virtue but rather recognition of the need to reconcile and heal the splits, am- biguities and contradictions of human love, fidelity, sensuality and spirituality.
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