MISKAWAYH ON PLEASURE. Issue 2 (31st July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adamson, Peter
• Is Part Of: Arabic sciences and philosophy. Volume 25:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2015-07-31
• Subjects: Learning and scholarship -- Arab countries -- History -- Periodicals; Science -- Arab countries -- History -- Periodicals; Philosophy, Arab -- History -- Periodicals; 181.92
• DOI: 10.1017/S0957423915000028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4239

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This paper provides an analysis and translation of a previously edited, but otherwise unstudied work by Miskawayh (d. 1030) entitled <italic>On Pleasures and Pains</italic> (<italic>Fī al-Laḏḏāt wa-al-ālām</italic>). After a brief orientation regarding the Aristotelian account of pleasure in the <italic>Nicomachean Ethics</italic>, which is Miskawayh's main source, the theory of pleasure set out in <italic>On Pleasures and Pains</italic> is compared to the discussion of pleasure in Miskawayh's better known <italic>Refinement of Character</italic> (<italic>Tahḏīb al-aḫlāq</italic>). Despite considerable harmony between the two texts, their treatments of pleasure differ in that the <italic>Refinement</italic> accepts, whereas <italic>On Pleasures and Pains</italic> rejects, the "restoration" theory of pleasure of Plato's <italic>Timaeus</italic>.</p> </abstract>