Nicomachean Ethics · Chapter
Book VII explained
Aristotle defends pleasure as a good and argues that unimpeded activity of a natural state is pleasure, which is essential to happiness.
What happens
Aristotle defends pleasure as a good and argues that unimpeded activity of a natural state is pleasure, which is essential to happiness. He refutes objections that pleasure is not good, distinguishes between necessary and excessive pleasures, and explains why bodily pleasures are often mistakenly considered the only pleasures.
Themes in this chapter
Pleasure and Pain
Central theme: Aristotle analyzes pleasure as unimpeded activity, distinguishes natural from remedial pleasures, and argues that pleasure is good and necessary for happiness.
The Good and Happiness
Aristotle connects pleasure to the happy life, asserting that happiness involves unimpeded activity and that a certain kind of pleasure may be the supreme good.
Characters to notice
- Aristotle
Primary author and philosopher presenting the arguments on pleasure.
- Speusippus
Mentioned as an opponent who argued that pleasure is not good by analogy of the greater and the less.
Key passages
“But that which is opposed to what is undesirable, in that respect in which it is undesirable and bad, is good. It follows, then, that pleasure is a good thing.”
Since pain is universally considered bad, its opposite—pleasure—must be good.
Aristotle uses the opposition of pain and pleasure to argue for pleasure's goodness.
“Again, the fact that all animals and men pursue pleasure is some indication that it is in some way the highest good: Not wholly lost can e'er that saying be Which many peoples share.”
The universal pursuit of pleasure by all living beings suggests that pleasure is the highest good, as a common belief is rarely entirely mistaken.
Aristotle cites the widespread pursuit of pleasure as evidence for its value.