Single Idea 24239

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / C. The Good / 1. Goodness / a. Form of the Good]

Full Idea

What is perfectly good can accomplish only what is perfectly beautiful; this was and is a universal law.

Gist of Idea

Perfect goodness always produces perfect beauty

Source

Plato (Timaeus [c.362 BCE], 30a)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Timaeus and Critias', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [OUP 2008], p.18


A Reaction

Beautiful must be 'kalon', which is better understood here as fine and noble, rather than looking pretty. This is a quintessential Plato opinion. At the highest level, the supreme Forms endorse one another. He is discussing cosmic creation.

Related Idea

Idea 391 We could express the Good as beauty, proportion and truth combined [Plato]