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Single Idea 22497

[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / a. Nature of happiness ]

Full Idea

Possible objects of deep happiness seem to be things that are basic in human life, such as home, and family, and work, and friendship.

Gist of Idea

Deep happiness usually comes from the basic things in life

Source

Philippa Foot (Natural Goodness [2001], 6)

Book Ref

Foot,Philippa: 'Natural Goodness' [OUP 2003], p.88


A Reaction

I've not encountered discussion of 'deep' happiness before. I heard of an old man in tears because he had just seen a Purple Emperor butterfly for the first time. She makes it sound very conservative. How about mountaineering achievements?


The 14 ideas from 'Natural Goodness'

Moral reason is not just neutral, because morality is part of the standard of rationality [Foot, by Hacker-Wright]
Moral virtues arise from human nature, as part of what makes us good human beings [Foot, by Hacker-Wright]
Moral evaluations are not separate from facts, but concern particular facts about functioning [Foot]
Practical rationality must weigh both what is morally and what is non-morally required [Foot]
All criterions of practical rationality derive from goodness of will [Foot]
Good actions can never be justified by the good they brings to their agent [Foot]
Virtues are as necessary to humans as stings are to bees [Foot]
Sterility is a human defect, but the choice to be childless is not [Foot]
Wisdom only implies the knowledge achievable in any normal lifetime [Foot]
Someone is a good person because of their rational will, not their body or memory [Foot]
Deep happiness usually comes from the basic things in life [Foot]
Happiness is enjoying the pursuit and attainment of right ends [Foot]
Refraining from murder is not made good by authenticity or self-fulfilment [Foot]
We all know that just pretending to be someone's friend is not the good life [Foot]