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Single Idea 18232

[from 'Nicomachean Ethics' by Aristotle, in 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / g. Contemplation ]

Full Idea

The circumstances of action would be found trivial and unworthy of gods. ...Still, everyone supposes that they live and are therefore active. ...Now if you take away from a living being action, and still more production, what is left but contemplation?

Gist of Idea

The gods live, but action is unworthy of them, so that only leaves contemplation?

Source

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics [c.334 BCE], 1178b), quoted by Christine M. Korsgaard - Aristotle and Kant on the Source of Value 8 'Finality'

Book Reference

Korsgaard,Christine M.: 'Creating the Kingdom of Ends' [CUP 1996], p.235


A Reaction

Is the ideal life for a human being to be paralysed by injury, and hence capable of nothing except godlike contemplation?