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Single Idea 23825

[filed under theme 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 3. Value of Truth ]

Full Idea

Truth is sought not because it is truth but because it is good.

Gist of Idea

We seek truth only because it is good

Source

Simone Weil (Gravity and Grace (9 extracts) [1943], p.233)

Book Ref

Weil,Simone: 'An Anthology' [Penguin 1986], p.233


A Reaction

A perfect instance of modern platonism. A few weird people seem to enjoy lying. Personally I cannot find enough content in the word 'good' in such claims.


The 11 ideas from 'Gravity and Grace (9 extracts)'

The collective is the one and only object of false idolatry [Weil]
There are two goods - the absolute good we want, and the reachable opposite of evil [Weil]
Our only social duty is to try to limit evil [Weil]
Charity is the only love, and you can feel that for a country (a place with traditions), but not a nation [Weil]
If effort is from necessity rather than for a good, it is slavery [Weil]
We seek truth only because it is good [Weil]
Beauty, goodness and truth are only achieved by applying full attention [Weil]
The essence of power is illusory prestige [Weil]
A group is only dangerous if it endorses an abstract entity [Weil]
The good is a nothingness, and yet real [Weil]
The soul is the intrinsic value of a human [Weil]