Aristotle whilst he labours to refute the Idea's of Plato, falls upon one himself: for his summum bonum, is a Chimera, and there is no such thing as his Felicity.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Even critics of abstract ideas can fall into their own idealistic traps.
- In plain terms
- Aristotle tried to reject Plato's ideas but invented his own impossible ideal of happiness.
- What can you take from it?
- Be wary of creating perfect ideals even when critiquing others.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do your own ideals match reality?
- What standards do you hold that might be chimeras?
Another view
It oversimplifies the historical philosophical arguments.
More from Sir Thomas Browne
We term sleep a death, and yet it is waking that kills us, and destroys those spirits that are the house of life.
Permalink to quote #31 Half our days we pass in the shadow of the earth; and the brother of death exacteth a third part of our lives.
Permalink to quote #33 I am in no way facetious, nor disposed for the mirth and galliardize of company, yet in one dream I can compose a whole Comedy, behold the action, apprehend th…
Permalink to quote #30
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