Single Idea 392

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

Full Idea

Both intellect and pleasure are completely absolved of being the good itself, since they both lack independence, that is, sufficiency and perfection.

Gist of Idea

Neither intellect nor pleasure are the good, because they are not perfect and self-sufficient

Source

Plato (Philebus [c.354 BCE], 67a)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Philebus', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [Penguin 1982], p.149


A Reaction

This seems to be Plato disagreeing with Socrates, who sees reason and intellect as central to morality. Presumable he means that the good should be a primitive. Why is pleasure not sufficient?