Page:Ferrier Works vol 2 1888 LECTURES IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY.pdf/353

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298
GREEK PHILOSOPHY.

31. To carry on the illustration. Here, then, we have two ends soliciting this individual,—the old end, life, health, and strength; and the new end, the enjoyment arising from eating and drinking. These two ends are also frequently incompatible with each other. In cases where enjoyment is pursued, health must frequently be sacrificed; while health again is sometimes to be purchased only by the relinquishment of pleasure. In these circumstances, the question is, Which is the end to be pursued? Is health to be postponed to enjoyment, or is enjoyment to be postponed to health? or is there any way in which the two ends can be reconciled? Three answers may be returned to this question. First, it may be said that health is to be postponed to enjoyment; that enjoyment is the chief, and health only the subordinate end. This position may illustrate the scheme of such utilitarians or Eudaimonists as set up happiness (with little or no regard to virtue) as the end. Or, secondly, it may be said that enjoyment is to be postponed to health; that health is the chief, and enjoyment only the subordinate end, not properly an end at all. This position may illustrate the scheme of those moralists who set up virtue (with little or no regard to happiness) as the end. Or, thirdly, it may be said that both health and enjoyment may be set up as the chief end; that they admit of conciliation, and that rules may be laid down for their extrication when they come into conflict. This position will illustrate the scheme which, though often