Single Idea 134

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / e. Role of pleasure]

Full Idea

There is little to tell between good and bad people (e.g. cowards) in terms of how much pleasure and distress they experience.

Gist of Idea

Good and bad people seem to experience equal amounts of pleasure and pain

Source

Plato (Gorgias [c.378 BCE], 498c)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Gorgias', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP World's Classics 1994], p.90


A Reaction

A very perceptive remark. If the good are people with empathy for others, then they may suffer more distress than the insensitive wicked.