Single Idea 5233

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / e. Honour]

Full Idea

Honour is clearly the greatest external good.

Gist of Idea

Honour is clearly the greatest external good

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1123b20)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.154


A Reaction

Honour was earlier dismissed as 'the good', largely because it depended on other people. It is not far off to say that the aim of Aristotle's theory is to achieve genuine and justified honour. One's 'eudaimonia' is judged by others too.