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Single Idea 5905
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / c. Value of pleasure
]
Full Idea
On reflection it seems clear that pleasure is not the only thing in life that we think good in itself, that for instance we think the possession of a good character, or an intelligent understanding of the world, as good or better.
Gist of Idea
We clearly value good character or understanding, as well as pleasure
Source
W. David Ross (The Right and the Good [1930], §II)
Book Ref
Ross,W.David: 'The Right and the Good' [OUP 1930], p.17
A Reaction
Aristotle and Plato would obviously agree with this. I agree, as I cannot comprehend the claim that pleasure is self-evidently the good, simply because it feels nice. Why shouldn't evil feel nice?
The
27 ideas
with the same theme
[how important is pleasure in life?]:
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8142
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The wise prefer good to pleasure; the foolish are drawn to pleasure by desire
[Anon (Upan)]
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240
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It would be strange if the gods rewarded those who experienced the most pleasure in life
[Plato]
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157
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Most pleasure is release from pain, and is therefore not worthwhile
[Plato]
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371
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Reason, memory, truth and wisdom are far better than pleasure, for those who can attain them
[Plato]
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373
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Pleasure is certainly very pleasant, but it doesn't follow that all pleasures are good
[Plato]
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376
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Would you prefer a life of pleasure without reason, or one of reason without pleasure?
[Plato]
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379
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The good must be sufficient and perfect, and neither intellect nor pleasure are that
[Plato]
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382
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It is unlikely that the gods feel either pleasure or pain
[Plato]
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197
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Some pleasures are not good, and some pains are not evil
[Plato]
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200
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People tend only to disapprove of pleasure if it leads to pain, or prevents future pleasure
[Plato]
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2134
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Philosophers are concerned with totally non-physical pleasures
[Plato]
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5259
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If we criticise bodily pleasures as licentious and bad, why do we consider their opposite, pain, to be bad?
[Aristotle]
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96
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Nobody would choose the mentality of a child, even if they had the greatest childish pleasures
[Aristotle]
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97
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There are many things we would want even if they brought no pleasure
[Aristotle]
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98
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It is right to pursue pleasure, because it enhances life, and life is a thing to choose
[Aristotle]
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99
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If happiness were mere amusement it wouldn't be worth a lifetime's effort
[Aristotle]
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14056
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We only need pleasure when we have the pain of desire
[Epicurus]
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508
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Only accept beneficial pleasures
[Democritus (attr)]
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20845
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There are shameful pleasures, and nothing shameful is good, so pleasure is not a good
[Chrysippus, by Diog. Laertius]
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20840
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Stoics say pleasure is at most a byproduct of finding what is suitable for us
[Stoic school, by Diog. Laertius]
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3071
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Justice has no virtue opposed to it, but pleasure has temperance opposed to it
[Aurelius]
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22269
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We must fight fiercely to hang on to the few pleasures which survive into old age
[Montaigne]
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8104
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What will you think of pleasures when you no longer enjoy them?
[Joubert]
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21466
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Pleasure is weaker, and pain stronger, than we expect
[Schopenhauer]
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5905
|
We clearly value good character or understanding, as well as pleasure
[Ross]
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5929
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No one thinks it doesn't matter whether pleasure is virtuously or viciously acquired
[Ross]
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24165
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Pleasure has an intrinsic (independent) value, but that is not a final (for its own sake) value
[Cochrane]
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