Definition of "Faustian"

But along with this growth, there is at the same time developed in his breast, a Faustian conflict between the passion for accumulation, and the desire for enjoyment.

1887, Karl Marx, “Conversion of Surplus-Value into Capital”, in Samuel Moore and Edward Aveling, transl., edited by Frederick [i.e., Friedrich] Engels, Capital: A Critical Analysis of Capitalist Production: Translated from the Third German Edition, volume II, London: Swan Sonnenschein, Lowrey, & Co., […], part VII (The Accumulation of Capital), page 605

Each transaction in the transient corresponds to a pragmatics that transforms the Faustian promise into an advertising slogan.

1997, Mihai Nadin, The Civilization of Illiteracy‎

Serious times demand honesty and self-awareness from people in positions of authority and, at the end of the day, political parties giving succour to fringe views about life-and-death matters is a Faustian pact.

2021 February 2, Katharine Murphy, “Scott Morrison must heed the lesson of Donald Trump and slap down Craig Kelly”, in The Guardian‎

But if techno-capitalist ambitions are fundamentally Faustian, should a Catholic observer (or anyone else with similar commitments) really wish for them to rise again?

2024 February 9, Ross Douthat, “America Between Jesus and Faust”, in The New York Times‎