Single Idea 2070

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / f. Good as pleasure]

Full Idea

Those who define good as pleasure are clearly confused, and are compelled to admit that there are bad pleasures, so that the same thing is both good and bad.

Gist of Idea

Even people who think pleasure is the good admit that there are bad pleasures

Source

Plato (The Republic [c.371 BCE], 505c)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Republic', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1993], p.231


A Reaction

The issue is whether the pleasure can be disentangled from the action. 'It was a hideous murder, but at least the murderer enjoyed it'. Sounds wrong to me.