Single Idea 2134

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

Full Idea

A person concerned with learning is concerned with purely mental pleasure, having nothing to do with pleasures reaching the mind through the body - assuming the person is a genuine philosopher.

Gist of Idea

Philosophers are concerned with totally non-physical pleasures

Source

Plato (The Republic [c.371 BCE], 485d)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Republic', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1993], p.205


A Reaction

It is hard to find any argument which can demonstrate that mental pleasures are superior to physical ones. Mill notably failed to do it.