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Single Idea 18228

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / f. Ultimate value ]

Full Idea

If what is final is whatever is an end but never a means, ...why should something be more valuable just because it is useless?

Gist of Idea

An end can't be an ultimate value just because it is useless!

Source

Christine M. Korsgaard (Aristotle and Kant on the Source of Value [1986], 8 'Finality')

Book Ref

Korsgaard,Christine M.: 'Creating the Kingdom of Ends' [CUP 1996], p.230

A Reaction

Korsgaard is offering this as a bad reading of what Aristotle intends.

Related Idea

Idea 18227 We desire final things just for themselves, and not for the sake of something else [Aristotle]

The 5 ideas from 'Aristotle and Kant on the Source of Value'

18233 Contemplation is final because it is an activity which is not a process [Korsgaard]
18226 For Aristotle, contemplation consists purely of understanding [Korsgaard]
18228 An end can't be an ultimate value just because it is useless! [Korsgaard]
18225 If we can't reason about value, we can reason about the unconditional source of value [Korsgaard]
18224 Goodness is given either by a psychological state, or the attribution of a property [Korsgaard]