Study Guide

The Nicomachean Ethics Book 7, Chapter 14 (1154a8-1154b35)

By Aristotle

Book 7, Chapter 14 (1154a8-1154b35)

Okay, here's a paradox. If we say that bodily pleasures are somehow bad (think licentiousness), how is bodily pain also bad?
Is bodily pleasure only good some of the time? Or within certain limits?
Aristotle says that there are necessary pleasures (i.e. sex, eating), but that pursuing excessive pleasures is just wrongitty-wrong.
On the other side, we don't simply avoid excessive pain. We like to stay away from all of it.
So why are bodily pleasures so much better than other types of pleasures?
Well, bodily pleasures are the opposite of pain. And we often seek them to mitigate pain. In this way, they can become addictive and problematic.
So pleasure-seeking would be okay if we didn't use it to cover up deficiencies of character or a weak nature.
Bodily pleasures are also intense and easy to enjoy, so those who can't feel pleasure from more refined things seek it out.
This isn't a problem, as long as the pleasures are harmless. But people constantly seek bodily pleasures when they have nothing else to amuse them, or they're immature, or suffering mentally.
For those who suffer from "melancholy," pleasure provides an escape from both psychological and physical pain.
But all these find pleasure "incidentally" or as a temporary cure. When we're healthy, we recognize things that are pleasant in themselves.
Pleasure is also relative, depending on our nature. We should find pleasure in that which doesn't change, but humans aren't perfect.
We often love change, which Aristotle claims is a defect of character.

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The Nicomachean Ethics Book 7, Chapter 14 (1154a8-1154b35)

By Aristotle

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