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Single Idea 253
[filed under theme 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue
]
Full Idea
The cause of each and every crime we commit is precisely this excessive love of ourselves.
Gist of Idea
Every crime is the result of excessive self-love
Source
Plato (The Laws [c.349 BCE], 731e)
Book Ref
Plato: 'The Laws', ed/tr. Saunders,Trevor J [Penguin 1970], p.196
The
45 ideas
from 'The Laws'
8004
|
In 'The Laws', to obey the law is to be obey god
[Plato, by MacIntyre]
|
235
|
Virtue is the aim of all laws
[Plato]
|
236
|
Sound laws achieve the happiness of those who observe them
[Plato]
|
238
|
Children's games should channel their pleasures into adult activity
[Plato]
|
239
|
Education in virtue produces citizens who are active but obedient
[Plato]
|
4331
|
Education is channelling a child's feelings into the right course before it understands why
[Plato]
|
4332
|
Virtue is a concord of reason and emotion, with pleasure and pain trained to correct ends
[Plato]
|
240
|
It would be strange if the gods rewarded those who experienced the most pleasure in life
[Plato]
|
241
|
We ought to follow where the argument leads us
[Plato]
|
15447
|
We shouldn't always follow where the argument leads!
[Lewis on Plato]
|
242
|
The best people are produced where there is no excess of wealth or poverty
[Plato]
|
243
|
It is foolish to quarrel with the mind's own reasoning processes
[Plato]
|
245
|
Totalitarian states destroy friendships and community spirit
[Plato]
|
248
|
A serious desire for moral excellence is very rare indeed
[Plato]
|
249
|
People who value beauty above virtue insult the soul by placing the body above it
[Plato]
|
250
|
The best way to educate the young is not to rebuke them, but to set a good example
[Plato]
|
251
|
Truth has the supreme value, for both gods and men
[Plato]
|
253
|
Every crime is the result of excessive self-love
[Plato]
|
254
|
Excessive laughter and tears must be avoided
[Plato]
|
256
|
Virtue and great wealth are incompatible
[Plato]
|
257
|
Mathematics has the widest application of any subject on the curriculum
[Plato]
|
1402
|
Friendship is impossible between master and slave, even if they are made equal
[Plato]
|
259
|
Justice is granting the equality which unequals deserve
[Plato]
|
260
|
Control of education is the key office of state, and should go to the best citizen
[Plato]
|
262
|
Men and women should qualify equally for honours on merit
[Plato]
|
263
|
The only worthwhile life is one devoted to physical and moral perfection
[Plato]
|
264
|
The conquest of pleasure is the noblest victory of all
[Plato]
|
265
|
An action is only just if it is performed by someone with a just character and outlook
[Plato]
|
266
|
Injustice is the mastery of the soul by bad feelings, even if they do not lead to harm
[Plato]
|
269
|
Attempted murder is like real murder, but we should respect the luck which avoided total ruin
[Plato]
|
21257
|
Self-generating motion is clearly superior to all other kinds of motion
[Plato]
|
21258
|
The only possible beginning for the endless motions of reality is something self-generated
[Plato]
|
273
|
Movement is transmitted through everything, and it must have started with self-generated motion
[Plato]
|
21259
|
To grasp a thing we need its name, its definition, and what it really is
[Plato]
|
21260
|
Soul is what is defined by 'self-generating motion'
[Plato]
|
21261
|
Self-moving soul has to be the oldest thing there is
[Plato]
|
274
|
Soul must be the cause of all the opposites, such as good and evil or beauty and ugliness
[Plato]
|
21262
|
There must be at least two souls controlling the cosmos, one doing good, the other the opposite
[Plato]
|
21263
|
If all the motions of nature reflect calculations of reason, then the best kind of soul must direct it
[Plato]
|
21264
|
Mortals are incapable of being fully rational
[Plato]
|
21265
|
The heavens must be full of gods, controlling nature either externally or from within
[Plato]
|
275
|
Creation is not for you; you exist for the sake of creation
[Plato]
|
276
|
My individuality is my soul, which carries my body around
[Plato]
|
277
|
The Guardians must aim to discover the common element in the four cardinal virtues
[Plato]
|
278
|
If astronomical movements are seen as necessary instead of by divine will, this leads to atheism
[Plato]
|