What does summum bonum mean?

Definitions for summum bonum
ˈsʊm ʊm ˈboʊ nʊm; Eng. ˈsʌm əm ˈboʊ nəmsum·mum bon·um

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word summum bonum.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. summum bonumnoun

    the supreme good in which all moral values are included or from which they are derived

Wiktionary

  1. summum bonumnoun

    The greatest good; the ultimate importance, the singular and most ultimate end which human beings ought to pursue.

  2. Etymology: From medieval philosophy; for the highest good.

Wikipedia

  1. Summum bonum

    Summum bonum is a Latin expression meaning the highest or ultimate good, which was introduced by the Roman philosopher Cicero to denote the fundamental principle on which some system of ethics is based — that is, the aim of actions, which, if consistently pursued, will lead to the best possible life. Since Cicero, the expression has acquired a secondary meaning as the essence or ultimate metaphysical principle of Goodness itself, or what Plato called the Form of the Good. These two meanings do not necessarily coincide. For example, Epicurean and Cyrenaic philosophers claimed that the 'good life' consistently aimed for pleasure, without suggesting that pleasure constituted the meaning or essence of Goodness outside the ethical sphere. In De finibus, Cicero explains and compares the ethical systems of several schools of Greek philosophy, including Stoicism, Epicureanism, Aristotelianism and Platonism, based on how each defines the ethical summum bonum differently. The term was used in medieval philosophy. In the Thomist synthesis of Aristotelianism and Christianity, the highest good is usually defined as the life of the righteous and/or the life led in communion with God and according to God's precepts. In Kantianism, it was used to describe the ultimate importance, the singular and overriding end which human beings ought to pursue.

ChatGPT

  1. summum bonum

    Summum bonum is a Latin term that translates to "the highest good." It is a concept often discussed in philosophy, ethics, and religion and typically refers to the greatest or ultimate good that human actions should aim to achieve. In other words, it is the overarching goal or objective that guides moral decision-making and behavior. The precise interpretation or conceptualization of summum bonum often varies based on the philosophical or ethical system in question.

Wikidata

  1. Summum bonum

    Summum bonum is a Latin expression meaning "the highest good", which was introduced by Cicero, to correspond to the Idea of the Good in Greek philosophy. The summum bonum is generally thought of as being an end in itself, and at the same time as containing all other goods. The term was used in medieval philosophy and in Kantianism, to describe the ultimate importance, the singular and overriding end which human beings ought to pursue; while in the Thomist synthesis of Aristotelianism and Christianity, the highest good is usually defined as the life of the righteous, the life led in Communion with God and according to God's precepts.

Suggested Resources

  1. summum bonum

    Read the full text of the Summum Bonum poem by Louise Imogen Guiney on the Poetry.com website.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of summum bonum in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of summum bonum in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3


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"summum bonum." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/summum+bonum>.

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