Single Idea 110

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / g. Contemplation]

Full Idea

The lower animals have no share in happiness, being completely incapable of contemplation.

Gist of Idea

Lower animals cannot be happy, because they cannot contemplate

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1178b25)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.333


A Reaction

I've heard it suggested that the recipe for human happiness is to be good looking and rather dim. Very few people can be seriously good at contemplation.