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Single Idea 9229
[filed under theme 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 1. Nature of Value / f. Ultimate value
]
Full Idea
What is worth having or worth doing for its own sake alone may nonetheless be worth very little.
Gist of Idea
What is worthwhile for its own sake alone may be worth very little
Source
Harry G. Frankfurt (The Reasons of Love [2005], 1.5)
Book Ref
Frankfurt,Harry G.: 'The Reasons of Love' [Princeton 2006], p.13
A Reaction
That is one of my cherished notions sunk without trace! Aristotle's idea that ends are what matter, not means, always struck me as crucial. But Frankfurt is right. Collecting trivia is done for its own sake. Great tasks are performed as a means.
The
16 ideas
from 'The Reasons of Love'
9232
|
It is by caring about things that we infuse the world with importance
[Frankfurt]
|
9233
|
Our criteria for evaluating how to live offer an answer to the problem
[Frankfurt]
|
9234
|
If you don't care about at least one thing, you can't find reasons to care about anything
[Frankfurt]
|
9227
|
We might not choose a very moral life, if the character or constitution was deficient
[Frankfurt]
|
9229
|
What is worthwhile for its own sake alone may be worth very little
[Frankfurt]
|
9228
|
Ranking order of desires reveals nothing, because none of them may be considered important
[Frankfurt]
|
9230
|
People want to fulfill their desires, but also for their desires to be sustained
[Frankfurt]
|
9231
|
Freedom needs autonomy (rather than causal independence) - embracing our own desires and choices
[Frankfurt]
|
9240
|
Love creates a necessity concerning what to care about
[Frankfurt]
|
9241
|
Loving oneself is not a failing, but is essential to a successful life
[Frankfurt]
|
9235
|
Rather than loving things because we value them, I think we value things because we love them
[Frankfurt]
|
9236
|
Love can be cool, and it may not involve liking its object
[Frankfurt]
|
9237
|
The paradigm case of pure love is not romantic, but that between parents and infants
[Frankfurt]
|
9238
|
Morality isn't based on reason; moral indignation is quite unlike disapproval of irrationality
[Frankfurt]
|
9239
|
I value my children for their sake, but I also value my love for them for its own sake
[Frankfurt]
|
9300
|
Boredom is serious, not just uncomfortable; it threatens our psychic survival
[Frankfurt]
|