Thesauros Literature Philosophy Φίληβος

Φίληβος

Φίληβος Plato

45

Socrates
Soc. And the commonest and greatest pleasures are, as we have often said, those connected with the body, are they not?
Protarchus
Pro. Certainly.
Socrates
Soc. Are they greater, then, and do they become greater in those who are ill or in those who are in health? Let us take care not to answer hastily and fall into error. Perhaps we might say they are greater in those who are in health. 5
Protarchus
Pro. That is reasonable.
Socrates
Soc. Yes, but are not those pleasures the greatest which gratify the greatest desires?
Protarchus
Pro. That is true.
Socrates
Soc. But do not people who are in a fever, or in similar diseases, feel more intensely thirst and cold and other bodily sufferings which they usually have; and do they not feel greater want, followed by greater pleasure when their want is satisfied? Is this true, or not?
Protarchus
Pro. Now that you have said it, it certainly appears to be true. 10
Socrates
Soc. Then should we appear to be right in saying that if we wished to discover the greatest pleasures we should have to look, not at health, but at disease? Now do not imagine that I mean to ask you whether those who are very ill have more pleasures than those who are well, but assume that I am asking about the greatness of pleasure, and where the greatest intensity of such feeling normally occurs. For we say that it is our task to discover the nature of pleasure and what those who deny its existence altogether say that it is. This paradox means what those say it is who deny that it is really pleasure.
Protarchus
Pro. I think I understand you.

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