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Single Idea 4332

[from 'The Laws' by Plato, in 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 2. Elements of Virtue Theory / c. Motivation for virtue ]

Full Idea

Virtue is the general concord of reason and emotion, but there is one key element, which is the correct formation of our feelings of pleasure and pain, which makes us hate what we ought to hate, and love what we ought to love.

Gist of Idea

Virtue is a concord of reason and emotion, with pleasure and pain trained to correct ends

Source

Plato (The Laws [c.348 BCE], 653c)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.1344


A Reaction

An important truth, taken up by Aristotle. To see another person humiliated gives some people pleasure and other people pain.