There’s a long-recognized distinction between
(a) doing the right thing “gladly and with pleasure,” and
(b) doing the right thing “reluctantly and with a sense of pain and loss.” [1]
This is sometimes referred to as a difference between full excellence, on the one hand, and mere self-control, on the other hand.
Self-control is still good to have, since you are doing the right thing. But excellence is even better, since your feelings “endorse the action” as well. [1]
It’s a common-sense distinction, not just a theoretical technicality. And that means we should be well familiar with it, in our own lives at least — although it might take some reflection to connect your experience with this way of talking about it.
(Thinking about qualities that make one a good person might help get the reflection started.)
So, what are some examples of this distinction?
How would you illustrate what it means to do a good thing gladly and with pleasure, as distinguished from doing the same thing with reluctance, pain, and a sense of loss?
–MV
(Philosophic Advisor Cleveland’s website and blog can be found here.)
[1] These quoted phrases are from Julia Annas, The Morality of Happiness, 1993.