Single Idea 5263

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / g. Love]

Full Idea

Most people seem to want to be loved rather than to love, the reason being their desire for honour.

Gist of Idea

Most people want to be loved rather than to love, because they desire honour

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1159a13)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.271


A Reaction

The footnote says 'honour' here is 'esteem'. In other words, wanting to be loved is a type of vanity, which sounds right. Most people would like being loved from afar, by a person who could do nothing to benefit or please them.