The History of Philosophy|S01E67

The Ethical Solution-1

So Plato replies to Thrasymachus and Callicles, and to all Nietzscheans forever: Justice is not mere strength, but harmonious strength—desires and men falling into that order which constitutes intelligence and organization; 

justice is not the right of the stronger, but the effective harmony of the whole. 

It is true that the individual who gets out of the place to which his nature and talents adapt him may for a time seize some profit and advantage; 

but an inescapable Nemesis pursues him—as Anaxagoras spoke of the Furies pursuing any planet that should wander out of its orbit; 

the terrible baton of the Nature of Things drives the refractory instrument back to its place and its pitch and its natural note. 

The Corsican lieutenant may try to rule Europe with a ceremonious despotism fitted better to an ancient monarchy than to a dynasty born overnight; 

but he ends on a prison-rock in the sea, ruefully recognizing that he is "the slave of the Nature of Things." 

Injustice will out. 

There is nothing bizarrely new in this conception; 

and indeed we shall do well to suspect, in philosophy, any doctrine which plumes itself on novelty. 

Truth changes her garments frequently (like every seemly lady), but under the new habit she remains always the same. 

habit，着装

In morals we need not expect startling innovations: despite the interesting adventures of Sophists and Nietzscheans, all moral conceptions revolve about the good of the whole. 

Morality begins with association and interdependence and organization; 

life in society requires the concession of some part of the individual's sovereignty to the common order; 

and ultimately the norm of conduct becomes the welfare of the group. 

norm of conduct，行为准则

Nature will have it so, and her judgment is always final; 

a group survives, in competition or conflict with another group, according to its unity and power, according to the ability of its members to coöperate for common ends. 

And what better coöperation could there be than that each should be doing that which he can do best? 

This is the goal of organization which every society must seek, if it would have life. 

Morality, said Jesus, is kindness to the weak; 

morality, said Nietzsche, is the bravery of the strong; 

morality, says Plato, is the effective harmony of the whole. 

Probably all three doctrines must be combined to find a perfect ethics; 

but can we doubt which of the elements is fundamental?

[ 00’33” ] Nietzscheans (尼采主义者) 

[ 01’46” ] constitute (构成) 

[ 03’27” ] Nemesis (复仇女神，指命运) 

[ 04’32” ] baton (棍子) 

[ 04’41” ] refractory (倔强的) 

[ 04’50” ] pitch (高音) 

[ 05’29” ] ceremonious (形式主义上的) 

[ 05’30” ] despotism (专制主义) 

[ 06’51” ] There is nothing new under the sun. 

[ 07’56” ] garment (服装) 

[ 08’10” ] habit (着装) 

[ 08’40” ] startling (令人惊讶的) 

[ 09’04” ] revolve (环绕) 

[ 09’55” ] concession (妥协) 

[ 10’06” ] sovereignty (主权) 

[ 10’25” ] the norm of conduct (行为准则) 

[ 10’31” ] welfare (福祉)