Single Idea 3547

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / d. Sources of pleasure]

Full Idea

Since having a virtue does not reduce to performing certain kinds of acts, the Epicurean will achieve pleasure only by aiming at being a certain kind of person.

Gist of Idea

Epicureans achieve pleasure through character development

Source

Julia Annas (The Morality of Happiness [1993], 2.4)

Book Reference

Annas,Julia: 'The Morality of Happiness' [OUP 1995], p.86


A Reaction

No Epicurean would want to merely possess virtues, without enacting them. I assume that virtues are sought as guides to finding the finest pleasures (such as friendship).