TopicsBook III
Book III, chapter 1 Of Topics relative to the More Eligible and Better.*.116a3–117a4
Latin
Utrum autem eligibilius aut melius duorum pluriumve ex his perspiciendum. Primum autem determinetur quod considerationem facimus non de plurimum distantibus, et magnam ad invicem differentiam habentibus (nullus enim dubitat utrum felicitas, an divitiae expetibiliores), sed de iis quae propinqua sunt, et de quibus dubitamus utro oporteat apponere magis eo quod nullam videmus alterius ad alterum praeeminentiam? Manifestum igitur in his quod ostensa una praeeminentia, vel pluribus, constituetur intelligentia, quod id eligibilius est quod eorum est praeeminens. Primum igitur quod diuturnius stabiliusve, eligibilius eo quod minus hujusmodi. Et quod magis eligit prudens, vel bonus vir, vel lex recta, vel studiosi circa singula delecti quatenus tales sunt, vel in unoquoque genere periti, vel quaecunque plures, vel omnes (ut in medicina vel aedificatoria, quae plures medicorum vel omnes) vel quaecunque omnino plures, vel omnes, vel omnia, ut bonum. Omnia enim bonum appetunt. Oportet autem ducere ad id quod fuerit utile, quod dicendum est. Est autem simpliciter quidem melius, ac eligibilius, quod secundum meliorem disciplinam, alicui autem quod secundum propriam. Deinde quod idipsum quod est (eo quod non) in genere est, ut justitia justo. Nam illa quidem in genere bono, hoc autem non, et illa idipsum quod est bonum est, hoc autem non. Nam nihil dicitur idipsum quod genus est, quod non est in genere. Ut albus homo non est id quod color. Similiter autem et in aliis. Et quod propter se eligendum, eo eligendo quod propter aliud eligibilius. Ut sanum esse quam exercitari; illud enim propter se eligendum, hoc autem propter aliud. Et quod per se, eo quod per accidens. Ut amicos justos esse, eo quod inimicos; illud enim per se eligendum, hoc autem per accidens eligimus. Nam inimicos justos esse secundum accidens eligimus, ut nihil nobis noceant. Est autem hoc idem ei quod ante hoc; differt autem modo, nam amicos quidem justos esse propter se eligimus, et si nihil nobis debeat fore, quamvis apud Indos sint, inimicos autem propter alterum, ut nihil nobis noceant. Et quod causa boni per se, eo quod per accidens causa. Quemadmodum virtus, fortuna; nam illa quidem per se, haec autem per accidens est causa bonorum, et si quid aliud hujusmodi. Similiter autem et in contrario. Nam quod per se est causa mali, fugibilius est eo quod per accidens, ut vitium quam fortuna, nam illud quidem per se malum, fortuna autem per accidens. Et quod simpliciter bonum, eo quod alicui eligibilius: ut sanum fieri, quam incidi. Nam hoc quidem simpliciter bonum, illud autem alicui indigentium incisione. Et quod natura est, eo quod non natura: ut justitia justo, illud enim natura, hoc autem acquisitivum. Et quod meliori et honorabiliori inest, eligibilius, ut Deo quam homini, animae quam corpori. Et quod melioris proprium, melius quam quod pejoris: ut quod Dei, quam quod hominis, nam secundum communia utrisque, nihil differunt ab invicem, propriis autem alterum alteri differentiis supereminet. Et quod in melioribus, vel prioribus, vel honorabilioribus, est melius: ut sanitas robore et pulchritudine, nam illa quidem in humidis et siccis, et (ut simpliciter dicatur) ex quibus prius constitutum est animal. Haec vero in posterioribus, nam robur in nervis et ossibus, pulchritudo autem membrorum quaedam commensuratio videtur esse. Et finis iis quae sunt ad finem eligibilior videtur esse. Et duorum, quod propinquius est fini. Et omnino quod ad vitae finem expetibilius quam quod ad aliud aliquid, ut quod ad felicitatem contendit quam quod ad prudentiam, nam quod ad felicitatem contendit, eligibilius. Et possibile impossibili. Amplius, cum duo sint effectiva cujus finis melior, et ipsum melius. Cum autem sit effectivum, et finis ex proportione, quando pluri superat finis finem, quam ille proprium effectivum: ut felicitas pluri superat sanitatem quam sanitas salubre; quare effectivum felicitatis melius sanitate, nam quantum felicitas superat sanitatem, tantum et effectivum felicitatis salubre superat; sanitas autem salubre minus superabat, quare plus superat effectivum felicitatis salubre quam sanitas salubre; quapropter effectivum felicitatis melius sanitate; manifestum igitur quod eligibilius effectivum felicitatis quam sanitas, nam idem plus superat. Amplius, melius est quod propter se et honorabilius et laudabilius: ut amicitia divitiis et justitia sanitate et robore, nam illa quidem propter se honorabilium, haec vero non propter se, sed propter aliud. Nullus enim honorat divitias propter se, sed propter aliud; amicitiam vero propter se, et si nihil nobis debeat aliud ab ea esse.
English
115b36The question which is the more desirable, or the better, of two or more things, should be examined upon the following lines: only first of all it must be clearly laid down that the inquiry we are making concerns not things 116a5that are widely divergent and that exhibit great differences from one another (for nobody raises any doubt whether happiness or wealth is more desirable), but things that are nearly related and about which we commonly discuss for which of the two we ought rather to vote, because we do not see any advantage on either side as compared with the other. 116a10Clearly, then, in such cases if we can show a single advantage, or more than one, our judgement will record our assent that whichever side happens to have the advantage is the more desirable.
116a13First, then, that which is more lasting or secure is more desirable than that which is less so: and so is that which is more likely to be chosen by the prudent or by the good 116a15man or by the right law, or by men who are good in any particular line, when they make their choice as such, or by the experts in regard to any particular class of things; i. e. either whatever most of them or what all of them would choose; e. g. in medicine or in carpentry those things are more desirable which most, or all, doctors would choose; or, in general, whatever most men or all men or all things would choose, e.g. the good: for everything aims at the 116a20good. You should direct the argument you intend to employ to whatever purpose you require. Of what is ‘better’ or ‘more desirable’ the absolute standard is the verdict of the better science, though relatively to a given individual the standard may be his own particular science.
116a23In the second place, that which is known as ‘an x’ is more desirable than that which does not come within the genus ‘x’—e.g. justice than a just man; for the former falls within the genus ‘good’, whereas the other does not, 116a25and the former is called ‘a good’, whereas the latter is not: for nothing which does not happen to belong to the genus in question is called by the generic name; e.g. a ‘white man’ is not ‘a colour’. Likewise also in other cases.
116a28Also, that which is desired for itself is more desirable than that which is desired for something else; e. g. health 116a30is more desirable than gymnastics: for the former is desired for itself, the latter for something else. Also, that which is desirable in itself is more desirable than what is desirable per accidens; g. justice in our friends than justice in our enemies: for the former is desirable in itself, the latter per accidens: for we desire that our enemies should be just per accidens, in order that they may do us no harm. This 116a35last principle is the same as the one that precedes it, with, however, a different turn of expression. For we desire justice in our friends for itself, even though it will make no difference to us, and even though they be in India; whereas in our enemies we desire it for something else, in order that they may do us no harm.
116b1Also, that which is in itself the cause of good is more desirable than what is so per accidens, e.g. virtue than luck (for the former is in itself, and the latter per accidens, the cause of good things),1 and so in other cases of the same kind. Likewise also in the case of the contrary; for 116b5what is in itself the cause of evil is more objectionable than what is so per accidens, e. g. vice and chance: for the one is bad in itself, whereas chance is so per accidens.
116b7Also, what is good absolutely is more desirable than what is good for a particular person, e.g. recovery of health than a surgical operation; for the former is good absolutely, the 116b10latter only for a particular person, viz. the man who needs an operation. So too what is good by nature is more desirable than the good that is not so by nature, e.g. justice than the just man; for the one is good by nature, whereas in the other case the goodness is acquired. Also the attribute is more desirable which belongs to the better and more honourable subject, e.g. to a god rather than to a man, and to the soul rather than to the body. So too the property of the better thing is better than the property of the worse; e. g. 116b15the property of God than the property of man: for whereas in respect of what is common in both of them they do not differ at all from each other, in respect of their properties the one surpasses the other. Also that is better which is inherent in things better or prior or more honourable: thus (e.g.) health is better than strength and beauty: for the former is inherent in the moist and the dry, and the hot and the cold, in fact in all the primary constituents of an animal, whereas the others are inherent in what is secondary, 116b20strength being a feature of the sinews and bones, while beauty is generally supposed to consist in a certain symmetry of the limbs. Also the end is generally supposed to be more desirable than the means, and of two means, that which lies nearer the end. In general, too, a means directed towards the end of life is more desirable than a means to 116b25anything else, e.g. that which contributes to happiness than that which contributes to prudence. Also the competent is more desirable than the incompetent. Moreover, of two productive agents that one is more desirable whose end is better; while between a productive agent and an end we can decide by a proportional sum whenever the excess of the one end over the other is greater than that of the latter over its own productive means: e.g. supposing the excess of happiness over health to be greater than that of 116b30health over what produces health, then what produces happiness is better than health. For what produces happiness exceeds what produces health just as much as happiness exceeds health. But health exceeds what produces health by a smaller amount; ego, the excess of what produces happiness over what produces health is greater than that of health over what produces health. Clearly, therefore, what 116b35produces happiness is more desirable than health: for it exceeds the same standard by a greater amount.
116b37Moreover, what is in itself nobler and more precious and praiseworthy is more desirable than what is less so, e.g. friendship than wealth, and justice than strength. For the former belong in themselves to the class of things precious 117aand praiseworthy, while the latter do so not in themselves but for something else: for no one prizes wealth for itself but always for something else, whereas we prize friendship for itself, even though nothing else is likely to come to us from it.
Translator's notes
- 1 716b2-3. Treat ἡ μὲν yap... τῶν ἀγαθῶν as a parenthesis, with Wallies.
Owen 1853
From these things, we must consider which of two or more, is the more eligible or better, and this is first to be determined, that we do not make those the subjects of consideration, which are very remote and greatly differ from each other, (since no one doubts whether happiness or wealth is preferable,) but those which are near, and about which we entertain a doubt, to whether of them, “more” should be added, because we see no superiority of one to the other. Now in these it is clear, that one or more excellencies being shown, the reasoning faculty will grant, that this is more eligible whichever of them happens to excel.
First, then, that which is longer in duration or is more certain, is more eligible, than that which is less such;1 and that which a wise or good man would rather choose,2 or upright law, or the studious about each would prefer, so far as they are such; or the scientific in each genus; or whatever the great number, or all; (as in medicine or in carpentering, what the greater number of physicians, or all, would choose;) or such things, in short, as most or all things (choose), for instance, good, for all desire what is good. Yet we must bring what shall be said, to that which is useful, but simply the better and more eligible, is that which is according to the better science, but to a certain one, that which is according to his proper science.
Next, whatever is in genus (is more eligible) than that which is not in genus, for instance, justice than a just man, for the one is in genus, that is, in good, but the other, not, and the one is what is good, but the other not, since nothing is said to be what genus is, which does not happen to be in genus, thus a white man, is not what colour is, and similarly of the rest.
That, also, which is eligible for itself, is preferable, to what is eligible for the sake of something else, as to be well, is preferable to being exercised, for the one is eligible for itself, but the other for something else. Also what is per se, than what is accidental, as that friends, rather than that enemies, should be just, for the one is eligible per se, but the latter accidentally, since we wish our enemies to be just, from accident, that they may not injure us. This, however, is the same with what is prior to it, but it differs in the mode,3 as we desire our friends, to be just, for their own sake, even if nothing should happen to us, and they should be in India, but our enemies, for something else, viz. that they may do us no injury.
The cause also, per se, of good, is preferable to the accidental cause, as virtue than fortune, for the one, is the cause of good, per se, but the other accidentally; also, if there is any thing else of the kind. It will be the same, too, in the contrary (to the eligible), for what is per se, the cause of evil, is more to be avoided, than the accidental cause, for instance, vice and fortune, for the one is evil per se, but fortune from accident.
The simple good, again, is more eligible than that which is (so) to a certain person, as to be well than to be cut, for the one is simply good, but the other to some one who requires to be cut.
Also what is naturally (good, is preferable) to what is not naturally (so), as justice than a just man, since the one is by nature, but the other is acquired.
That also is preferable, which is present with the better and more honourable, as (that which is present) with God, than with man,4 and with the soul, than with the body. The property, also, of the better is better than that of the worse, e. g. that of God than that of man, for according to what are common in both, they do not differ from each other, but the one excels5 the other in properties. Whatever, also, is in the better, or the prior, or the more honourable, is better, as health than strength and beauty, for the one is in the moist, and the dry, and the hot, and the cold, in short, (in those things) whereof primarily the animal consists, but the other in things posterior, for strength is in nerves and bones, but beauty seems to be a certain symmetry of the members.6 The end, also, appears to be preferable to those things tending to the end, and of two things, that which is nearer to the end, and in short, what contributes to the end of life, is preferable to what (tends) to something else, as that which contributes to felicity, than what tends to prudence. Moreover, the possible than the impossible, and when there are two efficients, that of which the end is better. The efficient, however, and the end, (we must consider) from analogy when one end more surpasses another, than that, its own efficient cause, thus, if felicity more excels health than health the salubrious, what is productive of felicity will be better than health, for as far as felicity surpasses health, so far what is productive of felicity surpasses the salubrious. Nevertheless, health less surpasses the salubrious, so that what is productive of felicity more surpasses the salubrious then does health the salubrious. Evidently, then, what is productive of felicity is preferable to health, since it more surpasses the same thing. Once more, the more beautiful per se, and the more honourable and praiseworthy, as friendship than wealth, and justice7 than strength, for the one are per se amongst things honourable and praiseworthy, but the other not per se, but on some other account, since no one honours wealth for itself, but for something else, but friendship for itself, even if nothing else should result to us from it.
Translator's notes
- 1 Thus, virtue than wealth, for the former remains after death.
- 2 Varro enumerates 288 sects about the question of the summum bonum. (St. Augustine de Civit. Dei, xix. 2.)
- 3 Because above, the eligible was considered for its own sake, and for the sake of something else; but here, per se, and from accident.
- 4 So Portia, in the Merchant of Venice, commends mercy : “It is an attribute to God himself, And earthly power doth then show likest God’s, When mercy seasons justice.” Act iv. sc. 1.
- 5 So Waitz and Bekker, ὑπερέχει.
- 6 Symmetry then subsists in a composite, when the naturally more excellent, prevails over the naturally less excellent; or, in other words, when form, surpasses matter.
- 7 In the Ethics, b. viii. ch. 1, he makes friendship, supersede justice.
Cited in the Summa: II-II, q. 176, a. 2 · II-II, q. 182, a. 1
Book III, chapter 2 Upon the Similar and Super-excellent.*.117a5–118a26
Latin
Amplius, quando duo aliqua fuerint valde sibimetipsis similia, et non poterimus praeeminentiam aliquam conspicere alterius ad alterum, videndum ex iis quae sequuntur. Nam cum consequens est majus bonum, hoc eligibilius; si autem sint consequentia mala, cui consequens minus malum, hoc eligibilius. Nam cum utraque sint eligenda, nihil prohibet molestum aliquid sequi, dupliciter autem ab eo quod sequitur consideratio, nam et prius, et posterius sequitur, ut addiscentem ignorare prius, scire autem posterius, melius autem ut plurimum, quod posterius, sumendum igitur eorum quae sequuntur quodcunque fuerit utile. Amplius, plura bona paucioribus, vel simpliciter, vel quando altera alteris insunt, ut pauciora in pluribus. Instantia, si alicubi alterum alterius gratia; nihil enim eligibiliora utraque quam unum, ut sanum fieri, et sanitas, quam sanitas, eo quod sanum fieri propter sanitatem eligimus. Et non bona, bonis nihil prohibet eligibiliora esse, ut felicitatem, et aliud aliquid quod non est bonum, justitia et fortitudine. Et eadem cum voluptate magis quam sine voluptate, et eadem cum indolentia quam cum tristitia. Et unumquodque in quo tempore magis valet, in hoc etiam eligibilius. Ut carentia tristitiae in senectute magis quam in juventute, magis enim in senectute valet. Secundum haec autem, et prudentia in senectute eligibilior, nemo enim juvenes eligit duces, eo quod non constat eos prudentes esse. Fortitudo autem e contrario, in juventute enim magis necessaria secundum fortitudinem operatio; similiter autem et in temperantia, magis enim juvenes quam senes concupiscentiis molestantur. Et quod in omni tempore, vel in pluribus utilius. Ut justitia, et temperantia, fortitudine, nam illae semper, haec autem aliquando utilis. Et quod cum omnes haberemus, nihil altero indigeremus, quam quod cum haberemus, indigeremus reliquo. Ut in justitia, et fortitudine, nam si omnes essent justi, nihil utilis fortitudo; si vero omnes essent fortes, utilis justitia. Amplius ex corruptionibus et adjectionibus, et generationibus, et sumptionibus, et contrariis. Quorum enim corruptiones malae, ipsa eligibiliora, similiter autem et in abjectionibus, et in contrariis, nam si abjectio, vel contrarium fugibilius est, ipsum eligibilius; in generationibus autem et sumptionibus e contrario. Quorum enim sumptiones, et generationes et eligibiliores, et ipsa quoque eligibiliora. Alius autem locus est. Quod propinquius bono, melius atque eligibilius. Et quod similius est bono, ut justitia justo. Et quod meliori eorum est similius, quemadmodum Ajacem Ulysse dicunt aliqui meliorem esse, eo quod similior est Achilli. Instantia hujus est, quod non verum sit, nihil enim prohibet non qua ratione optimus est Achilles, eadem similiorem esse Ajacem: cum erit alter quidem bonus, non similiter autem. Considerandum autem si et in ridiculosioribus sit simile, ut simia homini quam equo, cum non sit similis: non enim est simia melior, similior tamen est homini. Rursum in duobus: si hoc quidem meliori, illud autem pejori est similius, erit melius quod meliori est similius. Habet autem et hoc instantiam, nihil enim prohibet hoc quidem meliori parum simile esse, illud autem pejori valde, ut si Ajax quidem Achilli parum, Ulysses autem Nestori valde, ut si hoc quidem meliori in pejoribus, illud autem pejori in melioribus, ut equus asino, et simia homini. Et quod maxime insigne, eo quod minus tale. Et quod difficilius, magis enim amamus cum habemus, quod non est facile adipisci. Et quod magis proprium, eo quod communius. Et quod magis incommunius, nam magis eligendum quod nulla molestia sequitur, quam quod sequitur. Amplius, si hoc illo melius, et omnino optimum eorum quae in hoc, melius eo quod in altero optimum. Ut si melior est homo quam equus, et optimus homo, optimo equo melior. Et si optimum optimo melius, et simpliciter hoc illo melius, ut si optimus homo, optimo equo melior, et simpliciter homo, simpliciter equo melior. Amplius, ea quae volumus amicos participare, eligibiliora quam quae non. Et quae ad amicum agere malumus quam quae ad quemlibet, illa eligibiliora. Ut juste agere et benefacere, magis quam videri, nam amicis benefacere volumus magis quam videri, quibuslibet autem e converso. Et quae sunt ex circumstantia necessariis meliora, aliquando autem et eligibiliora. Melius enim quam vivere, bene vivere, bene autem vivere est ex circumstantia, ipsum autem vivere necessarium. Aliquando autem meliora non etiam eligibiliora, non enim si meliora, necessario quod eligibiliora: philosophari siquidem melius quam lucrari, sed non magis eligendum indigenti necessariis. Ex circumstantia autem est quando, existentibus necessariis, alia quaedam adjiciuntur bonorum. Fere autem fortasse eligibilius quod necessarium est, melius autem quod ex circumstantia. Et quod non est ab alio exquirere quam quod est et ab alio. Quale sustinet justitia ad fortitudinem. Et si hoc quidem sine illo eligendum, illud autem sine hoc non. Ut potestas sine prudentia non eligenda, prudentia vero sine potestate eligenda. Et duorum, si alterum negamus, ut reliquum videatur nobis inesse, illud eligibilius quod volumus nobis videri inesse. Ut laborem diligere nos negamus, ut ingeniosi esse videamur. Amplius, pro cujus absentia minus increpandi sunt moleste ferentes, hoc magis eligendum. Et pro cujus absentia non moleste ferentem magis increpandum, id eligibilius.
English
117a5Moreover, whenever two things are very much like one another,1 and we cannot see any superiority in the one over the other of them, we should look at them from the standpoint of their consequences, For the one which is followed by the greater good is the more desirable: or, if the consequences be evil, that is more desirable which is followed by the less evil. For though both may be desirable, yet 117a10there may possibly be some unpleasant consequence involved to turn the scale. Our survey from the point of view of consequences lies in two directions, for there are prior consequences and later consequences: e. g. if a man learns, it follows that he was ignorant before and knows afterwards. Asa rule, the later consequence is the better to consider. You should take, therefore, whichever of the 117a15consequences suits your purpose.
117a16Moreover, a greater number of good things is more desirable than a smaller, either absolutely or when the one is included in the other, viz. the smaller number in the greater. An objection may be raised suppose in some particular case the one is valued for the sake of the other; for then the two together are not more desirable than the one; e.g. 117a20recovery of health and health, than health alone, inasmuch as we desire recovery of health for the sake of health. Also it is quite possible for what is not good, together with what is, to be more desirable than a greater number of good things,”2 e.g. the combination of happiness and something else which is not good may be more desirable than the combination of justice and courage. Also, the same things are more valuable if accompanied than if unaccompanied by pleasure, and likewise when free from pain than when 117a25attended with pain.
117a26Also, everything is more desirable at the season when it is of greater consequence; e.g. freedom from pain in old age more than in youth: for it is of greater consequence in old age. On the same principle also,3 prudence is more desirable in old age; for no man chooses the young to 117a30guide him, because he does not expect them to be prudent. With courage, the converse is the case, for it is in youth that the active exercise of courage is more imperatively required. Likewise also with temperance; for the young are more troubled by their passions than are their elders.
117a35Also, that is more desirable which is more useful at every season or at most seasons, e.g. justice and temperance rather than courage: for they are always useful, while courage is only useful at times. Also, that one of two things which if all possess, we do not need the other thing, is more desirable than that which all may possess and still we want the other one as well. Take the case of justice and courage; if everybody were just, there would be no use 117bfor courage, whereas all might be courageous, and still justice would be of use.
117b3Moreover, judge by the destructions and losses and generations and acquisitions and contraries of things: for 117b5things whose destruction is more objectionable are themselves more desirable. Likewise also with the losses and contraries of things; for a thing whose loss or whose contrary is more objectionable is itself more desirable. With the generations or acquisitions of things the opposite is the case: for things whose acquisition or generation Is more desirable are themselves also desirable.
117b10Another commonplace rule is that what is nearer to the good is better and more desirable,4 i. e. what more nearly resembles the good: thus justice is better than a just man. Also, that which is more like than another thing to something better than itself, as e.g. some say that Ajax was a better man than Odysseus because he was more like Achilles. An objection may be raised to this that it is not true: for it is quite possible that Ajax did not resemble 117b15Achilles more nearly than Odysseus in the points which made Achilles the best of them, and that Odysseus was a good man, though unlike Achilles. Look also to see whether the resemblance be that of a caricature, like the resemblance of a monkey to a man, whereas a horse bears none: for the monkey is not the more handsome creature, despite its nearer resemblance to a man. Again, in the 117b20case of two things, if one is more like the better thing while another is more like the worse, then that is likely to be better which is more like the better. This too, however, admits of an objection: for quite possibly the one only slightly resembles the better, while the other strongly resembles the worse, e.g. supposing the resemblance of Ajax to Achilles to be slight, while that of Odysseus to 117b25Nestor is strong. Also it may be that the one which is like the better type shows a degrading likeness, whereas the one which is like the worse type improves upon it: witness the likeness of a horse to a donkey, and that of a monkey to a man.
117b28Another rule is that the more conspicuous good is more desirable than the less conspicuous, and the more difficult than the easier: for we appreciate better the possession of 117b30things that cannot be easily acquired. Also the more personal possession is more desirable than the more widely shared. Also, that which is more free from connexion with evil: for what is not attended by any unpleasantness is more desirable than what is so attended.
117b33Moreover, if A be without qualification better than B, then also the best of the members of A is better than the best of the members of B; e.g. if Man be better than Horse, then also the best man is better than the best horse. Also, if the best in A be better than the best in B, then also A is better than B without qualification; e. g. if the best man be better than the best horse, then also Man is better than Horse without qualification.
118a1Moreover, things which our friends can share are more desirable than those they cannot. Also, things which we like rather to do to our friend are more desirable than those we like to do to the man in the street, e.g. just dealing and the doing of good rather than the semblance of them: 118a5for we would rather really do good to our friends than seem to do so, whereas towards the man in the street the converse is the case.
118a7Also, superfluities are better than necessities, and are sometimes more desirable as well: for the good life is better than mere life, and good life is a superfluity, whereas mere life itself is a necessity. Sometimes, though, what is better is not also more desirable: for there is no necessity 118a10that because it is better it should also be more desirable: at least to be a philosopher is better than to make money, but it is not more desirable for a man who lacks the necessities of life. The expression ‘superfluity’ applies whenever a man possesses the necessities of life and sets to work to secure as well other noble acquisitions. Roughly 118a15speaking, perhaps, necessities are more desirable, while superfluities are better.
118a16Also, what cannot be got from another is more desirable than what can be got from another as well, as (e.g.) is the case of justice compared with courage. Also, A is more desirable if A is desirable without B, but not B without A: power (e. g.) is not desirable without prudence, but prudence 118a20is desirable without power. Also, if of two things we repudiate the one in order to be thought to possess the other, then that one is more desirable which we wish to be thought to possess; thus (e.g.) we repudiate the love of hard work in order that people may think us geniuses.
118a24Moreover, that is more desirable in whose absence it is 118a25less blameworthy for people to be vexed; and that is more desirable in whose absence it is more blameworthy for a man not to be vexed.
Translator's notes
- 1 117a5. Read αὑτοῖς for ἀλλήλοις.
- 2 117a21. Read καὶ μὴ ἀγαθὰ per’ ἀγαθῶν οὐδὲν κωλύει εἶναι αἱρετώτερα (sc. πλειόνων ἀγαθῶν). Or, keeping the MS. reading, trans. ‘Also it is quite possible for what are not good things to be more desirable than what are’: happiness plus a not-good thing are not ‘good things’: only one of them is good.
- 3 117a28. Read κατὰ ταὐτὰ δέ,
- 4 117b1, Read a comma only, not a full stop, after αἱρετώτερον.
Owen 1853
Moreover, when two things are very like each other, and we cannot perceive any superiority of the one to the other, we must investigate from the consequents, for whichever the greater good follows, is the preferable. Still, if the consequents be evil, that which the less evil follows is preferable, for both being eligible, there is nothing to prevent something troublesome resulting. The investigation indeed from the consequent is two-fold, since it follows both prior and posterior, as to the learner ignorance is prior, but knowledge posterior; for the most part however the latter consequent is better, so that we must take whichever consequent may be useful.
Again, many goods (are to be preferred) to fewer, either simply, or when some are inherent in others, viz. the fewer in the more: it is objected if anywhere one thing is for the sake of another, for both are not at all preferable to the one; thus, to be made well and health are not preferable to health, as we choose to be made well on account of health, still there is nothing to prevent things which are not good, conjoined with such as are good, from being more eligible, as felicity and something else, which is not good, than justice and fortitude, and the same things with pleasure, rather than without pleasure, and the same things with painlessness than with pain.
Besides, each thing at the time of its greatest power is more eligible, as to be without pain in old age1 rather than in youth, for it is capable of effecting more in old age. So also prudence in old age is preferable, because no one chooses the young as leaders from not deeming them prudent. Courage indeed is contrary, for courageous energy is more necessary in youth; so also temperance, for the young are more burdened by desires than elderly men.
Whatever also is useful at every time or at most times, is more useful, thus justice and temperance than courage, for the former are always, but the latter is sometimes useful. Again, that which all men possessing we require nothing else, (is more eligible) than that which (all) possessing we should require something else beside, as in the case of justice and courage, for if all men were just, courage would not at all be useful, but though all men were courageous, justice would be useful.
Further, (we can derive arguments) from corruptions and rejections, generations, assumptions, and contraries, for those, the corruptions of which are more to be avoided, are themselves more eligible. Likewise with rejections and contraries, for whether the rejection or the contrary is more to be avoided, it is itself more eligible. Still in generations and assumptions the contrary occurs, and those are more eligible whose assumptions and generations are so.
Another place is, that the nearer to the good is better and preferable, also the more similar to the good, as justice than a just man. Likewise what is more similar to the better than itself, as some say that Ajax was better than Ulysses, because he was more similar to Achilles. The objection to this is that it is not true, since nothing prevents Ajax from being more similar to Achilles, not so far as Achilles was the best; the other (Ulysses) being indeed good, yet not similar. We must also see whether the similar exists in things more ridiculous, as an ape is like a man, when a horse is not so, since the ape is not more beautiful, but more similar to man. Again, in two things, if one more resembles the better, but the other the worse, that will be the better which more resembles the better. Yet this also has an objection, since there is nothing to prevent the one being in a small degree similar to the better, but the other being very similar to the worse. As if Ajax was a little like Achilles, but Ulysses excessively like Nestor. Also if what resembles the better is like so far as pertains to the worse, but what resembles the worse so far as belongs to the better, as a horse with respect to an ass, and an ape to a man.
Another, the more illustrious, (is preferable) to that which is less so,2 likewise the more difficult, for the possession of those things is dearer to us which cannot easily be obtained. Again, the more peculiar than the more common.3 Also that which has less connexion with evils, for that is preferable which no molestation follows, rather than that which it does follow.
Again, if this is simply better than that, that which is the best in this, is better than that which is the best in the other, as, if man is better than horse, the best man also is better than the best horse, and if the best is better than the best, this also is simply better than that, thus, if the best man is better than the best horse, man also simply is better than horse.
Further, those things of which our friends can share are preferable4 to what they cannot partake of: also those which we would rather do for a friend, are preferable to what we would do for any one, as, to act justly and to do good are preferable to seeming (to do so), for we rather desire to benefit our friends than to seem (to benefit them), but contrarily with regard to casual persons.
Also those which are from abundance are better than such as are necessary, and sometimes indeed are more eligible, for to live well, is better than to live merely,5 but to live well is from the abundant, and to live itself, is necessary. Sometimes however things which are better are not also more eligible, for if they are better, it is not necessary that they should be more eligible, for instance, to philosophize is better than to get money, yet it is not more eligible to one in want of necessaries. Still it is from abundance, when necessaries being (supplied), a person procures certain other things good; yet perhaps the necessary is almost preferable, but that from abundance is better.
Again, that which cannot be supplied by another is better than what another may supply, as justice fares with regard to courage, also if this thing is eligible without that, but not that without this, as power is not eligible without prudence, but prudence is eligible without power. Also if we deny one of two, that the other may seem to be present with us, that is the more eligible which we desire to seem present, as we disclaim labour in order to appear talented.
Again, that, the absence of which we reprove persons less for bearing with difficulty, is more eligible, and that, the absence of which when it is not borne with difficulty, we rather reprove, is also more eligible.
Translator's notes
- 1 Compare Juvenal, Sat. x. 188, et seq.; 2 Samuel xix. 35.
- 2 Thus, glory is more eligible than wealth.
- 3 Thus Cicero, in his oration for Marcellus, shows that the glory which Cæsar obtained by pardoning Marcellus, is to be preferred to military glory, because the latter is common to many, but the former peculiar to Cæsar. Comp. Massinger's Duke of Milan, act iii. scene 1.
- 4 In perfect friendship, says Montaigne, the giver is obliged to the receiver. Cf. Terence Heauton. i. 97 : “ Nec mihi fas esse ullâ me voluptate hîc frui Nisi ubi ille huc salvos redierit meus particeps.”
- 5 Summum crede nefas animam præferre pudori Et propter vitam, vivendi perdere causas. Juvenal viii. 83. And Horace, “Vivere, si recte nescis, decede peritis. Epist. ii. 2, 213. Antisthenes said, “That a man should either make provision of sense to understand, or of a halter to hang himself:” assuming right understanding, and obedience to it, to be the chief end of life. Plutarch.
Cited in the Summa: I-II, q. 8, a. 3 · I-II, q. 17, a. 4 · I-II, q. 39, a. 3 · II-II, q. 32, a. 3 · II-II, q. 47, a. 14 · II-II, q. 182, a. 1
Book III, chapter 3 Of the more Eligible, continued.118a27–118b39
Latin
Amplius, eorum quae sunt sub eadem specie, quod habet propriam virtutem, eo quod non habet, utrisque autem habentibus, quod magis habet, eligibilius. Amplius, si hoc quidem facit bonum illud cui adest, illud autem non facit, quod facit eligibilius. Quemadmodum et calidius quod calefacit, eo quod non. Si autem utrumque facit, quod magis facit, aut quod melius, et principalius facit bonum, ut si hoc quidem animam, illud autem corpus. Amplius autem a casibus, et usibus, et actionibus, et operibus, et haec ab illis. Sequuntur enim sese invicem, ut si quod juste est eligibilius quam quod fortiter, et justitia fortitudine eligibilior, et si justitia quam fortitudo eligibilior, et quod juste quam quod fortiter. Similiter autem et in aliis. Amplius, si aliquo eodem hoc quidem majus bonum est, illud autem minus, magis eligendum majus, aut si majore majus fuerit alterum. Sed et si duo quaedam uno aliquo sint eligibiliora, quod longe eligibilius eo quod minus est eligendum, eligibilius. Amplius cujus est superabundantia eligibilior, et ipsum eligibilius. Ut amicitia, pecuniis, nam eligibilior superabundantia amicitiae quam pecuniarum. Et id cujus magis eliget quis ut ipse sibi causa sit, quam cujus alter. Ut amicos pecuniis. Amplius, ex appositione si eidem appositum aliquid, quod totum eligibilius facit. Cavere autem oportet extendere ad ea in quibus altero quidem appositorum utitur commune, vel alio quolibet modo cooperativum est; reliquo autem non utitur, neque cooperativum est, ut serra et falce cum arte fabrili, nam eligibilior serra consociata, simpliciter autem non eligibilior. Rursum si minori appositum aliquid, quod totum majus facit. Similiter autem et ex ablatione: quo enim ablato ab eodem quod restat est minus, illud majus erit quod ablatum reliquum minus facit. Et si hoc quidem propter se, illud autem propter gloriam eligendum. Ut sanitas pulchritudine, terminus autem ejus quod est ad gloriam, quod nullo conscio, non studeret inesse. Et si hoc quidem propter se et propter gloriam eligendum, illud autem propter alterum tantum. Et utrumvis magis propter se honorandum, hoc et melius et eligibilius. Honorabilius utique fuerit secundum se, quod nihil aliud debeat esse, propter se eligimus magis. Amplius, dividendum quoties quod eligendum est dicitur, et quorum gratia, ut utilis, vel honesti, vel delectabilis. Nam quod ad omnia vel ad plura est utile, eligibilius fuerit eo quod non sic. Si autem eadem utrisque insunt, utri magis insint considerandum. Ut utrum delectabile an honestum, an utile magis. Rursum quod propter melius, eligibilius. Ut quod propter virtutem quam quod propter delectationem. Similiter autem et in fugiendis. Nam magis est fugiendum quod magis impedit virtutes, ut aegritudo turpitudine, nam et voluptatis et ejus quod est studiosum esse, prohibentior est aegritudo. Amplius, ex similitudine monstrari potest fugiendum et eligendum quod propositum est.
English
118a27Moreover, of things that belong to the same species one which possesses the peculiar virtue of the species is more desirable than one which does not. If both possess it, then the one which possesses it in a greater degree is more desirable.
118a29Moreover, if one thing makes good whatever it touches, 118a30while another does not, the former is more desirable, just as also what makes things warm is warmer than what does not. If both do so, then that one is more desirable which does so in a greater degree, or if it render good the better and more important object—if (e. g.), the one makes good the soul, and the other the body.
118a34Moreover, judge things by their inflexions and uses and 118a35actions and works, and judge these by them: for they go with each other: e.g. if ‘justly’ means something more desirable than ‘courageously’, then also justice means something more desirable than courage; and if justice be more desirable than courage, then also ‘justly’ means something more desirable than ‘courageously’. Similarly also in the other cases.
118b1Moreover, if one thing exceeds while the other falls short of the same standard of good, the one which exceeds is the more desirable; or if the one exceeds an even higher standard. Nay more, if there be two things both preferable to something, the one which is more highly preferable to it is more desirable than the less highly preferable. 118b5Moreover, when the excess of a thing is more desirable than the excess of something else, that thing is itself also more desirable than the other, as (e.g.) friendship than money: for an excess of friendship is more desirable than an excess of money. So also that of which a man would rather that it were his by his own doing is more desirable than what he would rather get by another’s doing, e.g. friends than money.
118b10Moreover, judge by means of an addition, and see if the addition of A to the same thing as B makes the whole more desirable than does the addition of B. You must, how. ever, beware of adducing a case in which the common term uses, or in some other way helps the case of, one of the things added to it, but not the other, as (e. g.) if you took a sawand a sickle in combination with the art of carpentry: 118b15for in the combination the saw is a more desirable thing, but it is not a more desirable thing without qualification. Again, a thing is more desirable if, when added to a lesser good, it makes the whole a greater good. Likewise, also, you should judge by means of subtraction: for the thing upon whose subtraction the remainder is a lesser good may be taken to be a greater good, whichever it be whose1 subtraction makes the remainder a lesser good.
118b20Also, if one thing be desirable for itself, and the other for the look of it, the former is more desirable, as (e. g.) health than beauty. A thing is defined as being desired for the look of it if, supposing no one knew of it, you would not care to have it. Also, it is more desirable if it be desirable both for itself and for the look of it, while the other thing is desirable on the one ground alone. Also, whichever is the more precious for itself, is also better and more desirable. 118b25A thing may be taken to be more precious in itself which we choose rather for itself, without anything else being likely to come of it.
118b27Moreover, you should distinguish in how many senses ‘desirable’ is used, and with a view to what ends, e.g. expediency or honour or pleasure. For what is useful for all or most of them may be taken to be more desirable 118b30than what is not useful in like manner. If the same characters belong to both things you should look and see which possesses them more markedly, i. e. which of the two is the more pleasant or more honourable or more expedient. Again, that is more desirable which serves the better purpose, e.g. that which serves to promote virtue more than that which serves to promote pleasure. Likewise also in the case of objectionable things; for that is more objectionable which stands more in the way of what is 118b35desirable, e.g. disease more than ugliness: for disease is a greater hindrance both to pleasure and to being good.
118b38Moreover, argue by showing that the thing in question is in like measure objectionable and desirable: for a thing of such a character that a man might well desire and object to it alike is less desirable than the other which is desirable only.
Translator's notes
- 1 718b19. Read 6 ποτε.
Owen 1853
Moreover of things under the same species, that which possesses its own proper virtue (is preferable) to what does not, but when both possess it, that which has it in a greater degree. Further, if one thing causes that to be good with which it is present, but another does not, the efficient is preferable, as what heats is hotter than what does not, yet if both cause it, that which causes it the more, or that which renders the better and more principal thing good, as if one thing causes the soul, but another the body.
Again, from cases, uses, actions, and works, and these from those,1 for they follow each other; for example, if justly is preferable to courageously, justice also is preferable to courage, and if justice is preferable to courage, justly also is preferable to courageously, and similarly in other things.
Besides, if of the same thing one is the greater good, but the other the less, the greater is preferable, or2 if it is the good of the greater, it is the greater (good).3 But also if two things are preferable to a certain thing, the more eligible is to be preferred to the less eligible. Again, that of which the excess is more eligible than the excess (of another thing), is itself more eligible, as friendship than wealth, for the excess of friendship is preferable to the excess of wealth. Also that which a man would rather procure through himself, than which (he procures) through another, e. g. friends than money.
Again, also from addition, if any thing being added to the same, renders the whole more eligible: we must be careful, however, lest we propose such things, in which what is common is employed in one of the things added, or is in some other4 way co-operative with it, but the rest is not used nor is co-operative; for example, a saw and a sickle (being joined) by constructive art, the saw when conjoined is more eligible, but simply is not so. Again, if any thing being added to the less renders the whole greater. Likewise also from detraction, for when any thing being taken away from the same, the remainder is less, that (which was taken away) will be greater, since what is removed renders the remainder less.
Also, if one is eligible for itself, but the other on account of estimation, as health than beauty. Now, the definition of what is eligible on the score of estimation, is that if no one were conscious, we should not endeavour to obtain it.5 And if one thing is eligible for its own sake, and on account of estimation, but the other on account of one of them only. And that which is more honourable for its own sake is better and more eligible, but that would be more honourable per se, which, nothing else being about to result, we rather prefer for its own sake.
Moreover, we must distinguish in how many ways the eligible is predicated, and for the sake of what things, as for that of the profitable, or the beautiful, or the pleasant, for whatever is useful to all or to the greater number, would be more eligible than that which is not similarly (so useful). When, however, the same are present to both, we must consider with which they are more present, whether it be the more pleasant, or the more beautiful, or the more profitable. Again, what is for the sake of the better, is more eligible, as what is for the sake of virtue than what is for the sake of pleasure. It is the same also in things to be avoided, for that is more to be avoided which is more an impediment to the eligible, as disease than deformity, since disease is a greater impediment both to pleasure and probity.
Once more, from similarly demonstrating, that the thing proposed is to be avoided and chosen, for a thing of such a kind as that one may similarly choose and avoid it, is less eligible than another thing which is eligible only.
Translator's notes
- 1 Cases, uses, actions, works, are to be judged from those of which they are the cases, etc.
- 2 Aut si alterum sit majori majus. Buhle.
- 3 Health, the good of the body, is therefore inferior to science, the good of the mind.
- 4 Waitz alone reads ἄλλων instead of ὅλως.
- 5 For the test of real religious character in this respect, see Matt. vi.
Book III, chapter 4 Of the Use of these Places for Demonstrating what is Eligible or to be Avoided (τὸ αἱρετὸν ἢ φευκτόν).119a1–11
Latin
Nam minus eligendum hujusmodi, quod aeque et eligeret aliquis et fugeret, altero quod eligendum est tantum; ad se invicem igitur comparationes (quemadmodum dictum est) faciendum.
Idem autem loci utiles, et ad demonstrandum quodvis eligendum et fugiendum. Nam auferre solum eam oportet (quae ad alterum est) praeeminentiam; si enim quod honorabilius, eligibilius, et honorabile eligendum, et si quod utilius, eligibilius, et utile eligendum, similiter autem et in aliis quaecunque hujusmodi habent comparationem. In aliquibus autem statim secundum eam quae ad alterum est comparationem, et quod eligendum utrumque vel alterum dicimus. Ut quando hoc quidem natura bonum, illud autem non natura bonum dicimus: nam quod natura bonum, manifestum quoniam eligendum est.
English
119a1Comparisons of things together should therefore be conducted in the manner prescribed. The same commonplace rules are useful also for showing that anything is simply desirable or objectionable: for we have only to subtract the excess of one thing over another. For if what is more precious be more desirable, then also what is precious is 119a5desirable; and if what is more useful be more desirable, then also what is useful is desirable. Likewise, also, in the case of other things which admit of comparisons of that kind. For1 in some cases in the very course of comparing the things together we at once assert also that each of them, or the one of them, is desirable, e.g. whenever we call the one good ‘by nature’ and the other ‘not by nature’: 119a10for clearly what is good by nature is desirable.
Translator's notes
- 1 119921. Read καὶ εἰ rd μὲν μᾶλλον τοιούτου μᾶλλον τοιοῦτο, τὸ δὲ μὴ τοιοῦτο.
Owen 1853
We must make then, as we have said, comparisons of things with each other. The same places, however, are also useful for showing whatever is to be chosen or avoided, for it is only requisite to take away the excellence by which one thing surpasses another. For if the more honourable is more eligible, the honourable also is eligible, and if what is more useful is more eligible, the useful also is eligible, it is the same also in other things which have such a comparison. Still in some, by making a comparison of one with the other, we pronounce directly, that either, or that one of them, is eligible, as when we say, that one thing is naturally, but another not naturally, good, for what is naturally good is evidently eligible.
Cited in the Summa: I, q. 48, a. 2
Book III, chapter 5 Of Topics pre-eminently Universal from the more and greater.119a12–31
Latin
Sumendum autem quam maxime universales locos de eo quod est magis et minus, nam sic sumpti ad plura utiles erunt. Fieri autem potest ut eorum qui dicti sunt quosdam universales magis quis faciat, parum transmutans secundum appellationem. Ut quod natura tale, eo quod non natura tale, magis tale. Et si hoc quidem facit, illud autem non facit quod habet tale cuicunque insit, magis tale quod interdum facit, tale quam quod non facit. Si autem utrumque facit, quod magis facit tale. Amplius, si eodem aliquo, hoc quidem magis, illud autem minus tale. Et si hoc tali magis tale, illud vero non tali tale, manifestum quoniam primum magis tale. Amplius ex additione, si eidem additum, aliquod totum magis tale facit, aut si ei quod minus est tale additum, totum magis tale facit. Similiter autem et ex ablatione, nam quo ablato reliquis, reliquum minus tale, ipsum magis tale. Et quae contrariis sunt impermixtiora, magis talia. Ut albius quidem nigro impermixtius. Amplius, praeter ea quae dicta sunt prius, quod magis suscipit propriam propositi rationem. Ut si albi est ratio color disgregativus visus, albioris est, color magis disgregativus visus.
English
119a11The commonplace rules relating to comparative degrees and amounts ought to be taken in the most general possible form: for when so taken they are likely to be useful in a larger number of instances. It is possible to render some 119a15of the actual rules given above more universal by a slight alteration of the expression, e.g. that what by nature exhibits such and such a quality exhibits that quality in a greater degree than what exhibits it not by nature. Also, if one thing does, and another does not, impart such and such a quality to that which possesses it, or to which it belongs, then whichever does impart it is of that quality in greater degree than the one which does not impart it; and if both impart it, then that one exhibits it in a greater degree which imparts it in a greater degree.
119a20Moreover, if in any character one thing exceeds and another falls short of the same standard; also, if the one exceeds something which exceeds a given standard, while the other does not reach that standard,' then clearly the first-named thing exhibits that character in a greater degree. Moreover, you should judge by means of addition, and see if A when added to the same thing as B imparts to the whole such and such a character in a more marked degree than B, or if, when added to a thing which exhibits that character in a less degree, it imparts that character to 119a25the whole in a greater degree. Likewise, also, you may judge by means of subtraction: for a thing upon whose subtraction the remainder exhibits such and such a character in a less degree, itself exhibits that character in a greater degree. Also, things exhibit such and such a character in a greater degree if more free from admixture with their contraries; e.g. that is whiter which is more free from admixture with black. Moreover, apart from the rules given above, that has such and such a character in greater degree which admits in a greater degree of the definition 119a30proper to the given character; e.g. if the definition of ‘white’ be ‘a colour which pierces the vision’, then that is whiter which is in a greater degree a colour that pierces the vision.
Owen 1853
Places pre-eminently universal are to be assumed of the more and greater, for when they are thus assumed they will be useful for more (problems); still we may render some of those we have mentioned, more universal by changing the appellation in a slight degree; thus, what is such by nature, is more such than what is not such by nature. Also, if the one causes, but the other does not cause, the thing which possesses that to be such, (or that) in which it is inherent; what is sometimes the cause, is more a thing of this kind than what is not the cause, but if both are causes, that which is rather the cause is a thing of this kind.
Further, if of the same thing, one is more, but another less such, and if the one of a thing of this kind is more such, but the other is not of such a thing such, it is evident that the first is more a thing of this kind. Moreover, from addition (we may derive) a topic, if something being added to the same, renders the whole more such, or if what is added to the less such, makes the whole more such. Likewise from detraction, for that which being taken away, the remainder is less such, is itself more such. Also things which are more unmixed with contraries are more such, as that is whiter which is more unmixed with black. Besides, what has been said before, there is that which is more recipient of the proper definition of the thing proposed, as, if the definition of whiteness be colour separating the sight, that is more white which is more colour separating the sight.
Book III, chapter 6 That the above Places are useful for Particular Problems.119a32–120b8
Latin
Si autem particulariter, et non universaliter problema ponatur, primum quidem dicti universaliter constructivi vel destructivi loci omnes utiles. Universaliter enim interimentes vel construentes, et particulariter monstramus: nam si omni inest, et alicui, et si nulli inest, nec alicui. Maxime autem opportuni et communes loci, qui sunt ex oppositis, et conjugatis, et casibus. Nam similiter probabile est existimare, si omnis voluptas bonum, et tristitiam omnem malum esse, et si aliqua voluptas bonum, et tristitiam aliquam esse malum. Item si aliquis sensus non est potestas, et insensibilitas quaedam non est impotentia, et si quoddam opinatum disciplinatum, opinio quaedam disciplina; rursum si aliquod injustorum bonum, et justorum aliquod malum, et aliquod eorum quae injuste malum, et aliquod eorum quae injuste bonum, et si quoddam delectabile fugiendum, et delectatio quaedam fugienda, secundum haec autem et si aliquod delectabile utile, delectatio quaedam utilis. Et in corruptivis autem, et generationibus, et corruptionibus similiter. Nam si aliquod corruptivum delectationis vel disciplinae bonum est, erit quaedam delectatio vel disciplina malorum; similiter autem et si corruptio quaedam disciplinae bonorum, vel generatio malorum, erit quaedam disciplina malorum. Ut si oblivisci quae quis turpia egit bonorum est, vel reminisci malorum, erit scire quae quis turpia egit, malorum. Similiter autem et in aliis, in omnibus enim similiter probabile. Amplius ex eo quod est magis et minus, et similiter; si enim magis quidem eorum quae sunt ex alio genere aliquid tale, illorum autem nihil est, neque quod dictum est erit tale. Ut si magis quidem disciplina quaedam bonum quam voluptas, nulla autem disciplina bonum, nec voluptas bonum erit, et ex eo quod est similiter quidem et minus eodem modo. Nam erit et interimere et construere; verumtamen ex eo quod est similiter, utraque; ex minus autem construere solum, destruere autem non: si enim similiter potestas quaedam bonum et disciplina, est autem quaedam potestas bonum et disciplina; si autem nulla potestas bonum nec disciplina, si autem minus quaedam potestas bonum quam disciplina, est autem quaedam potestas bonum et disciplina; at vero si nulla potestas bonum, non necesse est et disciplinam nullam esse bonum: manifestum igitur quoniam construere solum ex eo quod minus est. Non solum autem ex alio genere est destruere, verum et ex eodem, dum sumit quis quod maxime tale est. Ut si positum est disciplina quaedam bonum, ostendatur autem quoniam prudentia non bonum, nec alia ulla erit, quia nec quae maxime videtur. Amplius, ex suppositione similiter postulantem si uni et omni inesse vel non inesse. Ut si hominis anima immortalis, et alias; si autem haec non, nec alias. Si igitur inesse alicui positum est, ostendendum quoniam alicui non inest, nam consequetur per hypothesin nulli inesse; si autem alicui non inesse positum est, ostendendum quoniam inest alicui, nam et sic consequetur omnibus inesse. Manifestum igitur est quod qui hypothesi utitur, facit problema universale particulariter positum; nam particulariter confitentem universaliter postulabit confiteri, eo quod uni et omni similiter postulaverit inesse. Cum autem indefinitum est problema, uno modo destruere contingit. Ut si dixerit voluptatem bonum esse, vel non bonum, et nihil aliud quidquam determinaverit, nam si aliquam voluptatem dixerit bonum esse, ostendendum universaliter quod nulla, si debeat interimi propositum; similiter autem et si aliquam dixerit voluptatem non esse bonum, ostendendum universaliter quod omnis; aliter vero non contingit interimere, nam si ostenderimus quoniam est quaedam voluptas bonum vel non bonum, nondum interimitur propositum. Manifestum igitur quoniam interimere quidem uno modo dicitur, construere autem dupliciter: sive enim universaliter ostenderimus quod omnis voluptas bonum, sive quod est quaedam voluptas bonum, ostensum erit quod propositum est. Similiter autem et si oporteat disserere quod est quaedam voluptas non bonum, si ostenderimus quod nulla bonum, vel quod quaedam non bonum, ostendentes erimus utrumque, et universaliter et particulariter, quod est quaedam voluptas non bonum. Cum autem determinata fuerit positio, dupliciter interimere erit. Ut si ponatur alicui quidem inesse voluptati bonum esse, alicui autem non inesse: nam sive omnis ostendatur voluptas bonum, sive nulla, interemptum erit propositum; si autem unam solam voluptatem posuerit bonum esse, tripliciter contingit interimere: nam ostendentes quod omnis vel nulla, vel quod plures quam una bonum, interimentes erimus quod propositum est. In pluribus vero positione determinata (ut quod prudentia sola est virtutum scientia), quadrupliciter est interimere. Nam ostenso quod omnis virtus scientia, vel quod nulla, vel quod et alia aliqua ut justitia, vel quod eadem prudentia, non scientia, interemptum erit propositum. Utile autem et inspicere in singularibus, in quibus inesse aliquid vel non, dictum est, quemadmodum in universalibus problematibus. Amplius autem et in generibus inspiciendum, dividenti secundum species usque ad individua, sicut prius dictum est. Nam si omni appareat inesse, sive nulli multa proferenti, postulandum universaliter confiteri, aut ferre instantiam in aliquo non sic. Amplius, in quibus possibile est aut specie, aut numero determinare accidens, inspiciendum si nullum horum inest. Ut quod tempus non movetur, nec est motus, annumeranti quot sunt species motus; nam si nulla earum inest tempori, manifestum quoniam non movetur, nec est motus. Similiter autem et quod anima non est numerus, dividenti quoniam omnis numerus aut impar aut par; nam si anima neque impar neque par, manifestum quod non est numerus, ad accidens igitur per talia et hoc modo argumentandum.
English
119a32If the question be put in a particular and not in a universal form, in the first place the universal constructive or destructive commonplace rules that have been given may all be brought into use. For in demolishing or establishing a 119a35thing universally we also show it in particular: for if it be true of all, it is true also of some, and if untrue of all, it is untrue of some. Especially handy and of general application are the commonplace rules that are drawn from the opposites and co-ordinates and inflexions of a thing: for public opinion grants alike the claim that if all pleasure be good, then also all pain is evil, and the claim that if 119bsome pleasure be good, then also some pain is evil. Moreover, if some form of sensation be not a capacity, then also some form of failure of sensation is not a failure of capacity. Also, if the object of conception is in some cases an object of knowledge, then also some form of conceiving is knowledge. Again, if what is unjust be in some cases good, 119b5then also what is just is in some cases evil; and if what happens justly is in some cases evil, then also what happens unjustly is in some cases good. Also, if what is pleasant is in some cases objectionable, then pleasure is in some cases an objectionable thing. On the same principle, also, if what is pleasant is in some cases beneficial, then pleasure is in some cases a beneficial thing. The case is the same also as regards the things that destroy, and the processes of generation and destruction. For if anything that destroys 119b10pleasure or knowledge be in some cases good, then we may take it that pleasure or knowledge is in some cases an evil thing. Likewise, also, if the destruction of knowledge be in some cases a good thing or its production an evil thing, then knowledge will be in some cases an evil thing; e.g. if for a man to forget his disgraceful conduct be a good thing, and to remember it be an evil thing, then the knowledge of 119b15his disgraceful conduct may be taken to be an evil thing. The same holds also in other cases: in all such cases the premiss and the conclusion are equally likely to be accepted.
119b17Moreover, you should judge by means of greater or smaller or like degrees: for if some member of another genus exhibit such and such a character in a more marked degree than your object, while no member of that genus exhibits that character at all, then you may take it that neither does the object in question exhibit it; e.g. if some form of knowledge be good in a greater degree than 119b20pleasure, while no form of knowledge is good, then you may take it that pleasure is not good either. Also, you should judge by a smaller or like degree in the same way: for so you will find it possible both to demolish and to establish a view, except that whereas both are possible by means of like degrees, by means of a smaller degree it is possible only to establish, not to overthrow. For if a certain form of capacity be good in a like degree to knowledge, and 119b25a certain form of capacity be good, then so also is knowledge; while if no form of capacity be good, then neither is knowledge. If, too, a certain form of capacity be good in a less degree than knowledge, and a certain form of capacity be good, then so also is knowledge; but if no form of capacity be good, there is no necessity that no form of knowledge either should be good. Clearly, then, 119b30it is only possible to establish a view by means of a less degree.
119b31Not only by means of another genus can you overthrow a view, but also by means of the same, if you take the most marked instance of the character in question; e.g. if it be maintained that some form of knowledge is good, then, suppose it to be shown that prudence is not good, neither will any other kind be good, seeing that not even the kind upon which there is most general agreement is so. Moreover, 119b35you should go to work by means of an hypothesis; you should claim that the attribute, if it belongs or does not belong in one case, does so in a like degree in all, e.g. that if the soul of man be immortal, so are other souls as well, while if this one be not so, neither are the others. If, then, it be maintained that in some instance the attribute belongs, you must show that in some instance it does not belong: for then it will follow, by reason of the hypothesis, that it does not belong in any instance at all. If, on the 120aother hand, it be maintained that it does not belong in some instance, you must show that it does belong in some instance, for in this way it will follow that it belongs in all instances. It is clear that the maker of the hypothesis universalizes the question, whereas it was stated in a particular form: for he claims that the maker of a particular admission should make a universal admission, inasmuch as 120a5he claims that if the attribute belongs in one instance, it belongs also in all instances alike.
120a6If the problem be indefinite, it is possible to overthrow a statement in only one way; e.g. if a man has asserted that pleasure is good or is not good, without any further definition. For if he meant that a particular pleasure is good, you must show universally that no pleasure is good, if the 120a10proposition in question is to be demolished. And likewise, also, if he meant that some particular pleasure is not good you must show universally that all pleasure is good: it is impossible to demolish it in any other way. For if we show that some particular pleasure is not good or is good, the proposition in question is not yet demolished. It is clear, then, that it is possible to demolish an indefinite statement in 120a15one way only, whereas it can be established in two ways: for whether we show universally that all pleasure is good, or whether we show that a particular pleasure is good, the proposition in question will have been proved. Likewise, also, supposing we are required to argue that some particular pleasure is not good, if we show that no pleasure is good or that a particular pleasure is not good, we shall have produced an argument in both ways, both universally and 120a20in particular, to show that some particular pleasure is not good. If, on the other hand, the statement made be definite, it will be possible to demolish it in two ways; e.g. if it be maintained that it is an attribute of some particular pleasure to be good, while of some it is not: for whether it be shown that all pleasure, or that no pleasure, is good, the proposition in question will have been demolished. If, however, he has stated that only one single pleasure is good, it is possible to demolish it in three ways: for by 120a25showing that all pleasure, or that no pleasure, or that more than one pleasure, is good, we shall have demolished the statement in question. If the statement be made still more definite, e.g. that prudence alone of the virtues is knowledge, there are four ways of demolishing it: for if it be shown that all virtue is knowledge, or that no virtue is so, or that 120a30some other virtue (e.g. justice) is so, or that prudence itself is not knowledge, the proposition in question will have been demolished.
120a32It is useful also to take a look at individual instances, in cases where some attribute has been said to belong or not to belong, as in the case of universal questions. Moreover, you should take a glance among genera, dividing them by 120a35their species until you come to those that are not further divisible, as has been said before1 for whether the attribute is found to belong in all cases or in none, you should, after adducing several instances, claim that he should either admit your point universally, or else bring an objection showing in what case it does not hold. Moreover, in cases where it is possible to make the accident definite either specifically or numerically, you should look and see whether perhaps none of them belongs, showing e. g. that time is not 120bmoved, nor yet is a movement, by enumerating how many species there are of movement: for if none of these belong to time, clearly it does not move, nor yet is a movement. Likewise, also, you can show that the soul is not a number,! by dividing all numbers into either odd or even: for then, if the soul be neither odd nor even, clearly it is not a number.
120b8In regard then to Accident, you should set to work by means like these, and in this manner.
Translator's notes
- 1 τοῦ 15. }1 Cf. Xenocrates, fr. 60 Heinze.
Owen 1853
If the problem should be laid down partially and not universally, all the above-mentioned universal places confirmatory or subversive are useful. For when we subvert or confirm universally, we also demonstrate particularly, since if a thing is present with every, it is also present with a certain one, and if with none, neither is it with any one. Notwithstanding, those places are above all opportune and common, which are assumed from opposites, co-ordinates, and cases, for it is similarly probable to assume, if every pleasure is good, that all pain likewise is an evil, and if a certain pleasure is good, that a certain pain also is an evil. Yet more, if a certain sense is not a power, a certain privation of sense also is not impotence, and if a certain thing being the subject of opinion is also that of science, a certain opinion also is science. Again, if any thing unjust is good, something just also is evil, and if any thing done justly is an evil, something done unjustly is good. Also, if something pleasant is to be avoided, a certain pleasure is to be avoided; on this account too, if any thing pleasant is profitable, a certain pleasure is profitable. In things corruptive also, and in generations and corruptions in like manner, for if any thing which is corruptive of pleasure or science is good, a certain pleasure or science would be of the number of things evil; similarly also if a certain corruption of science be among the number of good things, or a generation be among evil things, a certain science will be amongst things evil, for instance, if to forget the base acts a person has committed, is among things good, or to remember them, is amongst things evil, to know the base acts which any one has perpetrated, will be amongst evils. It is the same also with the others, for in all there is similar probability.
Moreover, (there is a place) from the more, and the less, and the similarly. For if any one thing of those from another genus is more such, but no one of those is such, neither will what was mentioned1 be such, e. g. if a certain science is more a good than pleasure, but no science is good, neither will pleasure be. And in the same way from the similarly and the less, for both to subvert and to confirm, will be possible, except (that we may do) both from the similarly, but from the less, only confirm, and not subvert. For if a certain power is similarly good, and science, but a certain power is good, a certain science also is, but if no power, neither is science; still, if a certain power is less a good than science, but a certain power is good, science also is. On the other hand, if no power is good, it is not necessary also that no science should be good, wherefore we can evidently only confirm, from the less.
Notwithstanding, we may not only subvert from another genus, but also from the same, by assuming what is especially such; as if it is admitted that a certain science is good, but it should be shown that prudence is not good, neither will any other be, since what especially seems (good) is not (so). Once more, from hypothesis, when in the same way it is assumed, that if a thing is present or not, with one, it is also or not, with all, as if the soul of man is immortal, that other (souls) also are, but if this is not, that neither are the others. If indeed then a thing is assumed present with a certain one, it must be proved not present with a certain one, since it will follow through the hypothesis that it is present with nothing, but if it is laid down not present with any, we must show that it is present with some one, for thus it will follow that it is present with all. Indeed it is evident that he who makes this hypothesis, makes the problem universal, which was laid down as particular, for he requires that to be acknowledged universal, which was allowed to be particular, since if it is present with one, he assumes it similarly present with all.
The problem then being indefinite, it is possible to subvert it in one way, as if a person said that pleasure is good or not good, and added nothing else in the definition. For if he said that a certain pleasure is good, we must show universally that no pleasure is, if the proposition is to be subverted. In like manner, also, if he said that a certain pleasure is not good, we must show universally that all is, for otherwise subversion is impossible; since if we have shown that a certain pleasure is not good, or that it is good, the proposition is not yet subverted. It is evident then, that subversion is possible in one way, but confirmation in two, for both whether we show universally that all pleasure is good, or that a certain pleasure is good, the proposition will have been proved. Likewise if it should be required to be argued that a certain pleasure is not good, if we have proved that no pleasure is good, or that a certain one is not good, we shall have argued in both ways, both universally and particularly, that a certain pleasure is not good.
The thesis indeed being defined, it will be possible to subvert in two ways, as if it should be laid down that good is present with a certain pleasure, but with a certain (pleasure) is not present, since whether all pleasure, or no pleasure, be proved good, the proposition will be subverted. Still, if it has been admitted that one pleasure only is good, subversion is possible in three ways, for by showing that all, or that none, or that more (pleasures) than one, are good, we shall have subverted the proposition. Nevertheless, the thesis having been defined to a greater extent, as that prudence alone of the virtues is a science, subversion is possible in four ways, for it having been shown that every virtue is science, or that none, or that some other (is a science), as justice, or that prudence itself is not a science, the proposition will have been subverted.
It is also useful to attend to singulars, in which something was said to be inherent or not, as in universal problems. Again, we must look to genera dividing according to species, as far as to individuals, as we observed before, for whether a thing appears present with every, or with none, (the opponent) must be required by him, who has adduced many things, to acknowledge2 universally, or to bring an objection, in what thing it is not so. Besides, in what things it is possible to define accident, whether in species or in number, it must be considered, if no one of these is present, as3 that time is not moved, and that neither is it motion, having enumerated how many species of motion there are, since if not one of these is present with time, it is evidently not moved, neither is it motion.‡4 Likewise also, (if we wish to show) that the soul is not number, (we must prove) by division, every number is either odd or even, as, if the soul is neither odd nor even, it is clearly not number.§5 For accident then we must argue through such (places) as these, and in such a manner.
The observation in the previous note, applies equally to the Pythagorean and Platonist theory of the soul; and the commentaries referred to, will be found to comprehend every thing valuable upon the point.
Translator's notes
- 1 i. e. in the problem.
- 2 That is, “it inherent.”
- 3 If we wish to prove.
- 4 It would exceed our limits to give a satisfactory digest, of the commentary of Simplicius, upon the question of the affinity of time to motion; therefore we can only refer the reader to that author himself, and to the no less careful exposition by Taylor, of the Aristotelian philosophy. The places in the Metaph. and Phys. bearing on the point, are alluded to: meanwhile I may remark, that in the opinion of Aristotle, time is not motion, unless so far as motion has number; an indication of which is, that we judge of the more and the less, by number, but of a greater and less motion, by time. Since, again, number is two-fold, (for we call both the numbered, and that which is numerable, number, and also that by which we number,) time is that which is numbered, and not that by which we number.
- 5 Vide Ritter, Cousin, Plato’s Timæus, et Leg. The observation of Lucretius (i. 113) may be taken as a fair compendium of the innumerable dogmas, incident to the general ignorance of the nature of the soul, by philosophers: “Ignoratur enim, quæ sit natura animai Nata sit: an, contra, nascentibus insinuetur, Et simul intereat nobiscum morte dirempta; An tenebras Orci visat, vastasque lacunas, An pecudes alias divinitus insinuet se.