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Single Idea 5132

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 2. Happiness / c. Value of happiness]

Full Idea

Happiness more than anything else is thought to be a final end without qualification, because we always choose it for itself, and not for any other reason. Pleasure, intelligence and good qualities generally we choose partly for the sake of our happiness.

Gist of Idea

Goods like pleasure are chosen partly for happiness, but happiness is chosen just for itself

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1097a32)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Ethics (Nicomachean)', ed/tr. ThomsonJ A K/TredennickH [Penguin 1976], p.73


A Reaction

The obvious reply is that happiness might be chosen because it gives us pleasure. Imagine if a sense of happiness resulted in an instant feeling of guilt. If we could ONLY have intelligence, we would choose that just for itself.