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Single Idea 249

[catalogued under 21. Aesthetics / A. Aesthetic Experience / 4. Beauty]

Full Idea

When a man values beauty above virtue, the disrespect he shows his soul is total and fundamental, because he argues that the body is more to be honoured than the soul.

Clarification

'Beauty' is the Greek word 'kalos', which also translates as 'fine'

Gist of Idea

People who value beauty above virtue insult the soul by placing the body above it

Source

Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 727e)

Book Reference

Plato: 'The Laws', ed/tr. Saunders,Trevor J [Penguin 1970], p.190