The art of music is good, for the reason, among others…
“The art of music is good, for the reason, among others, that it produces pleasure; but what proof is it possible to give that pleasure is good? If, then, it is asserted that there is a comprehensive formula, including all things which are in themselves good, and that whatever else is good, is not so as an end, but as a mean, the formula may be accepted or rejected, but is not a subject of what is commonly understood by proof.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Pleasure is valued but cannot be definitively proven as good; it serves as a means, not an ultimate end.
In simple terms: Pleasure is good but not provably ultimate.
Key Takeaway
Recognize pleasure as a useful guide, not the final goal.
Themes
ethics
philosophy
hedonism
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decisionmaking
- policy evaluation
- art criticism
- everyday enjoyment
Key Concepts
utilitarianism
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What other criteria should guide moral judgments?
- How do we balance pleasure with duty?
A Different Perspective
Pleasure alone may not capture deeper moral values.