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Single Idea 2158

[from 'The Republic' by Plato, in 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 3. Pleasure / f. Dangers of pleasure ]

Full Idea

Pleasure-seekers desperately and violently seek satisfaction in unreal things for a part of themselves which is also unreal - a leaky vessel they're trying to fill.

Gist of Idea

Pleasure-seekers desperately seek illusory satisfaction, like filling a leaky vessel

Source

Plato (The Republic [c.374 BCE], 586b)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Republic', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 1993], p.335


A Reaction

Plato dreams of some enduring 'satisfaction' which never fades. He should have attended more to Heraclitus, and less to Parmenides.