Single Idea 2903

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

Full Idea

A well-constituted human being, a 'happy one', must perform certain actions and shrink from other actions. In a formula: his virtue is the consequence of his happiness.

Gist of Idea

A good human will be virtuous because they are happy

Source

Friedrich Nietzsche (Twilight of the Idols [1889], 5.2)

Book Reference

Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Twilight of the Idols and The Anti-Christ', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1972], p.48


A Reaction

A nice reversal of basic Aristotle, though Aristotle does say that the truly virtuous person is happy in their actions. Treat unhappy people with caution!