The Paraphrase of an Anonymous Greek Writer (Hitherto Published Under the Name of Andronicus Rhodius) on the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1807. Excerpt: ... BOOK X. CHAP. r. CONCERNING PLEASURE. It follows in the next place to discourse in a more perfect manner about pleasure. For it is connascent with, and familiar to, our race. On this account also, when educating youth, we lead them by pleasure and pain; through pain, indeed, withdrawing them from base conduct; but exhorting them to the good through pleasure. Whence it is evident that we naturally shun pain, and pursue pleasure. Since, however, our discourse is about human passions and actions, it will be fit and appropriate to our subject to treat concerning pleasure. But it appears that to rejoice in such things as it is proper to be delighted with, and to hate such as ought to be hated, will not a little contribute to the acquisition of ethical virtue. For these are co-extended with human life; since we rejoice in some things, but are grieved with others: and to do this well, worthily, and conformably to right reason, is very important towards the attainment of virtue, and a happy life. But it by no means appears proper to omit the discussion of these particulars; since the definition of pleasure is neither simple, nor obvious; but requires many and weighty arguments. It is, however, involved in so much doubt that some say, pleasure is itself the ultimate end; and others, that no pleasure is simply good; but, on the contrary, that it is altogether depraved. And among those who assert that pleasure is bad, some indeed really conceive that it is so, and persuade themselves accordingly; but others conceive that a particular pleasure is good, though they wish to persuade others that every pleasure is simply bad; thus thinking it is more conducive to life, and more advantageous to mankind in general to suppose that all pleasure is bad. For since all men natu...