The good is twice described in the Philebus as perfect…
““The good is twice described in the Philebus as perfect, self- sufficient and seeked by all conscious beings. And the good does not have a contrary: it is not the one end of a scale whose evil would be the other end; it is a measure on any scale." Taken from Bernard Suzanne Plato and his dialogues Pursuing Goodness or the Good. Updated Nov 21, 1998””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The good is a perfect, self‑sufficient ideal sought by all conscious beings, not a opposite of evil but a measure of all things.
In simple terms: The good is an absolute ideal, not a balance point with evil.
Key Takeaway
Strive toward the ideal good, not merely a relative balance.
Themes
philosophy
ethics
idealism
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- policy making
- education
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Platonism
metaphysics
normative theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we apply an absolute good in everyday choices?
- What limits arise when seeking a perfect ideal?
A Different Perspective
The concept may be too abstract for practical decision‑making.