Single Idea 157

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / c. Value of pleasure]

Full Idea

Life is not worth living for pleasures whose enjoyment entirely depends on previous sensation of pain, like almost all physical pleasures.

Gist of Idea

Most pleasure is release from pain, and is therefore not worthwhile

Source

Plato (Phaedrus [c.368 BCE], 258e)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Phaedrus and Letters VII and VIII', ed/tr. Hamilton,Walter [Penguin 1973], p.69


A Reaction

Eating exotic food which is hard to obtain? (Pay someone to obtain it). Rock climbing. Training for sport.