Single Idea 177

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / d. Good as virtue]

Full Idea

'What will be gained by a man who is good?' 'That is easy - he will be happy'.

Clarification

'Happy' is the Greek word 'eudaimon', also sometimes translated as 'flourishing'

Gist of Idea

If a person is good they will automatically become happy

Source

Plato (The Symposium [c.373 BCE], 205a)

Book Reference

Plato: 'The Symposium', ed/tr. Hamilton,W [Penguin 1951], p.84


A Reaction

Suppose you tried to assassinate Hitler in 1944 (a good deed), but failed. Happiness presumably results from success, rather than mere good intentions.