# Pleasure explained — Nicomachean Ethics

> Chapter companion for Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.

## What happens

Aristotle examines the nature of pleasure, its relationship to the good, and its role in moral education. He critiques the view of Eudoxus that pleasure is the good, and argues that while pleasure is desirable, not all pleasures are good—they differ in kind and source. He also distinguishes pleasure from motion, asserting that pleasure is complete at any moment and not a process of replenishment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pleasure and Pain

Central theme: Aristotle explores whether pleasure is the good, its role in virtue, and the distinction between noble and base pleasures.

### The Good and Happiness

The chapter examines the relationship between pleasure and the highest good, arguing that pleasure is not identical to the good.

### Practical Wisdom and Reason

Aristotle uses rational arguments to distinguish between different kinds of pleasure and to critique the idea that pleasure is a motion or a replenishment.

## Character check-ins

### Aristotle

The primary author and philosopher analyzing pleasure and its role in ethics.

### Eudoxus

His argument that pleasure is the good is presented and critiqued.

### Plato

Referenced for his argument that pleasure cannot be the good because adding wisdom makes the pleasant life more desirable.

## Key lines

> For pleasure seems, more than anything else, to have an intimate connection with our nature; which is the reason why, in educating the young, we use pleasure and pain as the rudders of their course.

Pleasure is deeply tied to our nature, which is why we guide young people by appealing to what pleases and pains them.

_Aristotle emphasizes the pedagogical role of pleasure and pain in shaping character._

> Eudoxus thought pleasure was the good, because he saw that all beings, both rational and irrational, strive after it; but in all cases, he said, that which is desirable is the good, and that which is most desirable is best.

Eudoxus argued that since everything seeks pleasure, it must be the highest good.

_Aristotle presents and then critiques Eudoxus's argument for pleasure as the good._

> Vision seems to be perfect or complete at any moment; for it does not lack anything which can be added afterwards to make its nature complete. Pleasure seems in this respect to resemble vision; for it is something whole and entire, and it would be impossible at any moment to find a pleasure which would become complete by lasting longer.

Like sight, pleasure is complete at any given moment and does not become more complete over time.

_Aristotle argues that pleasure is not a motion but a complete, instantaneous activity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters/pleasure
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/nicomachean_ethics_se/chapters