summum bonum

English

Etymology

From medieval philosophy; Latin for the highest good.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈsʌməm ˈbəʊnəm/, /ˈsʊməm ˈbɒnəm/

Noun

summum bonum (plural summa bona)

1. (philosophy) The greatest good; the ultimate importance, the singular and most ultimate end which human beings ought to pursue.
   • 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York Review of Books 2001, p. 65:

     Our summum bonum is commodity, and the goddess we adore Dea Moneta, Queen Money, to whom we daily offer sacrifice [...].

Usage notes

The term is used particularly in medieval philosophy.

See also

• Summum bonum on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• summum bonum in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.

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Latin

Etymology

From summus (“superaltive of superus”) + bonum (“a moral good”)

Noun

summum bonum

1. (medieval, philosophy) The highest good; an ultimate goal of human existence.