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HoP 358 - Of Two Minds - Pomponazzi and Nifo on the Intellect

History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

CHAPTER

Pompanazzi's Argument for the Purpose of Human Life

Pompanazzi argued that contemplation is something quasi-divine, which is precisely why we shouldn't make it the purpose of human life. Our aim as humans is to be morally upright to make good use of what Aristotle called practical intellect. We do have a theoretical intellect too, which can be used to grasp universal truths - but this is just a kind of bonus that comes on top of the happiness already secured through a virtuous life. To insist that human life loses its purpose if we are not immortal is to suggest that the only reason to be good is to gain reward and avoid punishment in the afterlife. In fact virtue should be pursued here and now for his own sake.

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