Single Idea 93

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue]

Full Idea

What makes existence desirable is the consciousness of one's own goodness, and such consciousness is pleasant in itself.

Gist of Idea

Existence is desirable if one is conscious of one's own goodness

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1170b09)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.306


A Reaction

Nowadays we are much more conscious than Aristotle was of vanity as a vice, probably thanks to Christianity. The smugness of virtue signalling is especially annoying. But you see his point.