Single Idea 22498

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / a. Nature of happiness]

Full Idea

In my terminology 'happiness' is understood as the enjoyment of good things, meaning the enjoyment in attaining, and in pursuing, right ends.

Gist of Idea

Happiness is enjoying the pursuit and attainment of right ends

Source

Philippa Foot (Natural Goodness [2001], 6)

Book Reference

Foot,Philippa: 'Natural Goodness' [OUP 2003], p.97


A Reaction

A modified version of Aristotle's view, which she contrasts with McDowell's identification of happiness with the life of virtue. They all seem to have an optimistic hope that the pleasure in being a bit wicked is false happiness.