Single Idea 379

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

Full Idea

Neither pleasure nor intellect comprises the good. If it did it would have to be sufficient and perfect.

Gist of Idea

The good must be sufficient and perfect, and neither intellect nor pleasure are that

Source

Plato (Philebus [c.354 BCE], 22b)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Philebus', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [Penguin 1982], p.69


A Reaction

Seems sensible. I can't make sense of any vision of the good which consists of suppressing some aspect of human nature. (Hm. Our capacity for violence?)