His theory suggests that we humans buy things, when push comes to shove, because of these most deeply rooted characteristics. Hence, I think he would say, are derived the irrational extremes to which people sometimes go to make themselves a more attractive mate.

This theory–a marketing model on its practical side–seems to have much to commend it. But in my view, it fails to encompass one aspect of human existence, a transcendent aspect which holds us accountable for moral failures like vanity.

The human soul, if you will, ought to direct our thought and action away from self-destructive or manipulative experiments in beauty among other things. Sometimes it does, as perhaps suggested by the title of this post: “Vanity Insanity.”