Aristotle once said that “someone asked if it was better to love oneself over everything else or whether it was better to love the other person. “This wise Greek philosopher published a unique vision of selfishness and his intimate relationship with self-love. we learn a little more about your unique deduction?
Before proceeding, I would like to clarify that we will focus on his famous work ‘Ethico to Nicomachus’. To be more precise, we will go directly to Chapter VIII of Book 9, entitled “From Selfishness to Self-Love”.
- Throughout this chapter of Aristotle’s vast work.
- The philosopher demystifies with a deductive line what he considers a virtuous man.
- In this book.
- The author focuses on comparing self-love and selfishness.
This philosopher considers that real deeds contradict theories of selfishness; while it is true that loving the best friend is a virtue, it also implies that we ourselves are the best friends we can have, that is, you yourself are your best friend. Then the question arises: is it selfish to love yourself?, as makes sense, the closest relationship you can have in life is with yourself, in the end, who we live with 24 hours a day and who we have to hang in with. , regardless of your mood?
Once the philosopher has established the precepts of self-esteem, he begins to explain the two meanings he finds in selfishness. While I consider the term to have a pejorative and shameful side, it also assumes that there is a much higher variable.
The first type of egoism that Aristotle presents centers on the love of the earth; the philosopher equates this way of acting with that of the people, that is, that of the majority, which he calls common, probably the result of an excessive class society like that of ancient Greece.
In this case, Aristotle identifies this first type of selfishness as the most vivid anguish for bodily pleasures, that is, these people keep the greatest riches, honors and goods, they really dedicate the most precious. In other words, his sole purpose is to satisfy his desires and passions, which he considers hearing the most irrational part of the soul; observes it as a vulgar, deplorable and widespread custom. be reprehensible.
“We call these people who give the most in riches, in honors, in bodily pleasures, because commoners feel the most intense anguish for all this. -Aristotle-
But soon the classical philosopher believes that these men who are guided by the highest quotas of justice and wisdom are also selfish; however, they are people who seek virtue, good deeds and beauty, and find nothing reprehensible in this attitude.
We continue to talk about this second kind of selfishness that Aristotle considers, how can we not call a selfish man in body and soul in search of wisdom, justice and beauty?Life.
However, the philosopher attaches great importance to these beings. In other words, he considers good man to be the most selfish of all, but this selfishness is not rude, but noble. This is not common, because it is the reason that dominates it, it will never be a passion, as in the case mentioned above, based solely on the material aspect.
According to Aristotle, these noble but selfish men concentrate their efforts on the practice of virtue, for it is in them that they find joy and this attitude ends up enriching the whole community. This is how they find personal pleasure and service to others.
For the Greek philosopher, virtue is the highest of all the goods that can be possessed; thus, while the virtuoso does what he must do and works with intelligence and reason, the villain does so with a deep discord between his duty and what he wants. really does.
“The virtuous man will do many things for the benefit of his friends and his country. -Aristotle-
We can conclude that Aristotle considers the good and noble man selfish, but his virtue and righteous attitude stem from the gains enjoyed by his friends, his homeland and his own community. He is a committed person who despises material wealth, but enjoys the benefit of honor and dignity.
For a person like Aristotle, the heterosexual man prefers to enjoy a second of pleasure than an unworthy life, is generous and sacrifices if necessary, you can give everything for those who need it, there will be no problem in giving glory. from one act to another person, that is, someone who knows how to be selfish and, at the same time, a being with great self-love.