Single Idea 90

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / f. Altruism]

Full Idea

All friendly feelings for others are extensions of a man's feelings for himself.

Gist of Idea

All altruism is an extension of self-love

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1168b06)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.300


A Reaction

I'm not sure what his evidence is for this. The love of parents for their children doesn't seem to be based on self-love.