Book 7 / Chapter 11
Paragraph 2 - Views on Pleasure and the Good
Explanation - Part By Part
"Now (1) some people think that no pleasure is a good, either in itself or incidentally, since the good and pleasure are not the same; (2) others think that some pleasures are good but that most are bad. (3) Again there is a third view, that even if all pleasures are good, yet the best thing in the world cannot be pleasure."
Aristotle begins by outlining different perspectives on pleasure. He explains that people disagree on whether pleasure is inherently good or desirable. Here's a breakdown of the three main views he presents:
1. Some believe that no pleasure is good at all, either by its own nature or even as a side effect. They argue that goodness and pleasure are entirely separate concepts—they are not the same thing.
2. Others think that while some pleasures can be good, most are bad. This view implies that pleasures vary in quality, and many are harmful or morally questionable, so only a select few can be considered good.
3. A third group believes that even if all pleasures are good, pleasure itself cannot possibly be the best thing in life. This perspective holds that something higher or more ultimate exists beyond pleasure, which would be the greatest good or highest aim for human life.
Aristotle is laying the groundwork to explore these views further. Each of these positions reflects differing attitudes toward how pleasure relates to moral virtue, happiness, and the ultimate purpose of life. The tension between pleasure and the "highest good" is central to his ethical inquiry.
"(1) The reasons given for the view that pleasure is not a good at all are (a) that every pleasure is a perceptible process to a natural state, and that no process is of the same kind as its end, e.g. no process of building of the same kind as a house. (b) A temperate man avoids pleasures. (c) A man of practical wisdom pursues what is free from pain, not what is pleasant. (d) The pleasures are a hindrance to thought, and the more so the more one delights in them, e.g. in sexual pleasure; for no one could think of anything while absorbed in this. (e) There is no art of pleasure; but every good is the product of some art. (f) Children and the brutes pursue pleasures."
Aristotle is outlining arguments from those who claim that pleasure is not a good thing at all, whether in its essence or as a byproduct of something else. Let's break this down into each point he raises:
1. Pleasure as a process, not an ultimate goal (a):
Some argue that every pleasure is essentially an ongoing process that moves us toward a "natural state" but isn't itself the end goal. For instance, they say pleasure is like the act of building a house—it’s merely a step ("process"), not the same as the final product (the house itself). Following this reasoning, pleasure is thought to lack true, intrinsic value as an end in itself.
2. The temperate (self-controlled) man avoids pleasures (b):
A temperate person—someone who exercises restraint—tends to avoid indulging in pleasures excessively. This implies that pursuing pleasures isn’t inherently good or virtuous; otherwise, a temperate person wouldn’t steer clear of them.
3. Practical wisdom focuses on avoiding pain rather than seeking pleasure (c):
People who are wise and practical don’t prioritize the pursuit of pleasure; instead, they aim to live in a state free from pain. This suggests that the avoidance of pain, rather than chasing pleasurable experiences, is seen as more important or honorable.
4. Pleasures can impair rational thinking (d):
Enjoying pleasures too much can interfere with our ability to think clearly or deeply. As an example, Aristotle mentions sexual pleasure, which can completely absorb someone’s attention, making it difficult—if not impossible—to focus on anything else. This argument sees excessive pleasure as a distraction, making it the opposite of beneficial.
5. There is no "art" of pleasure (e):
Aristotle notes that every true good thing is typically associated with some skill, craft, or art form (like medicine for health or architecture for buildings). Pleasure, however, doesn’t seem to have an associated "art" or skill guiding it—suggesting it lacks the depth or structure of something truly worthwhile.
6. Pleasure is pursued by children and animals (f):
Finally, Aristotle points out that even children and animals chase after pleasure. Since these groups don’t necessarily act out of deep reasoning or virtue, this association diminishes the status of pleasure as something truly noble or "good."
To summarize: These arguments reject the idea of pleasure as inherently good because it
"(2) The reasons for the view that not all pleasures are good are that (a) there are pleasures that are actually base and objects of reproach, and (b) there are harmful pleasures; for some pleasant things are unhealthy."
In this part, Aristotle is presenting arguments from those who believe that not all pleasures are inherently good. Their reasoning includes the following points:
1. Some pleasures are morally base and socially disapproved of: There are forms of pleasure that people condemn because they are considered disgraceful or dishonorable. For example, indulging in excessive or immoral actions may bring pleasure but are looked down upon because they go against ethical or societal standards.
2. Some pleasures can lead to harm: Certain things may feel good or pleasant in the moment but end up causing harm in the long run. For instance, overeating unhealthy food or addictive behaviors might give temporary happiness but can negatively impact a person’s health or well-being.
Essentially, this perspective acknowledges that pleasure is not inherently bad, but it cannot be universally labeled as "good" either since some pleasures lead to undesirable or harmful consequences.
"(3) The reason for the view that the best thing in the world is not pleasure is that pleasure is not an end but a process."
This part is emphasizing an important argument against the idea that pleasure could be the ultimate or highest good in life. The point being made is that pleasure is understood as a process—something that happens and unfolds over time, leading toward something else—not an end in and of itself.
An "end" is seen as the ultimate goal or purpose of an action, something that is valued for its own sake. In contrast, a "process" is a means to get to something else, not something complete or final. Using this logic, the argument says that because pleasure is a transient experience rather than a stable, self-sufficient goal, it cannot be the "best" or highest good in life. It’s likened to something in motion, always incomplete, and therefore not the kind of lasting fulfillment we might associate with true happiness or the ultimate purpose of life.