Single Idea 18233

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 3. Virtues / g. Contemplation]

Full Idea

It is because contemplation is an activity that is not also a process that Aristotle identifies it as the most final good.

Gist of Idea

Contemplation is final because it is an activity which is not a process

Source

Christine M. Korsgaard (Aristotle and Kant on the Source of Value [1986], 8 'Activity')

Book Reference

Korsgaard,Christine M.: 'Creating the Kingdom of Ends' [CUP 1996], p.239


A Reaction

Quite a helpful way of labelling what Aristotle has in mind. So should we not aspire to be involved in processes, except reluctantly? I take the mind itself to be a process, so that may be difficult!

Related Idea

Idea 18239 What is contemplated must have a higher value than contemplation [Kant, by Korsgaard]