Aristotle, Grice, and Urmson -- on pleasure

Speranza

J. O. Urmson criticizes Aristotle for blurring, in his discussion of bodily pleasures, the distinction between enjoying activities and enjoying pleasant sensations.

It can be argued, however

a) that in many cases the enjoyment of pleasant sensations is an essential part of the enjoyment of activities; and

b) that while Aristotle believes that intemperate people enjoy eating, drinking, and sex primarily for the sake of bodily sensations (which he construes as tactile sensations), he correctly believes that that account is compatible with their enjoying those activities themselves.

Aristotle is, however, wrong in giving tactile sensations that central role in his account of intemperate enjoyments.