Single Idea 3559

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / i. Self-interest]

Full Idea

Aristotle thinks that those who think self-love is bad are identifying the self with the lower, irrational parts of the soul.

Gist of Idea

For Aristotle, true self-love is love of the higher parts of one's soul

Source

report of Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE]) by Julia Annas - The Morality of Happiness 12.1

Book Reference

Annas,Julia: 'The Morality of Happiness' [OUP 1995], p.256


A Reaction

That seems to imply love of (and developmen of) one's intellect, but surely the less bookish person can develop their social virtues in a self-loving way?