Single Idea 21746

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / B. Value / 2. Values / g. Love]

Full Idea

If harmonious desires are what we should seek, love is better than hate, since, when two people love each other, both can be satisfied, whereas when they hate each other one at most can achieve the object of his desire.

Gist of Idea

Unlike hate, all desires can be satisfied by love

Source

Bertrand Russell (An Outline of Philosophy [1927], Ch 22)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'An Outline of Philosophy' [Routledge 1979], p.188


A Reaction

A wonderful example of cool philosophical objectivity! Of course it is not true, because the fact that two people love one another doesn't not prevent them from having some incompatible desires, as every couple knows.

Related Idea

Idea 21745 Act so as to produce harmonious rather than discordant desires [Russell]