Single Idea 5258

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

Full Idea

People do not enjoy the same things while their natural state is being replenished as they do when it is complete; in the restored state they enjoy things that are absolutely pleasant, but while it is being replenished they enjoy even unpleasant things.

Gist of Idea

While replenishing we even enjoy unpleasant things, but only absolute pleasures when we are replenished

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1152a03)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.251


A Reaction

This is a nice distinction, which ties in with the dictum "never go to the supermarket when you are hungry". It is also a nice illustration of Aristotle's vital moral view that there is a 'natural state' for a human being.