“Knowledge resembles virtue in this, that it is not merely a means of procuring good, but is good in itself simply.” Defending knowledge as intrinsically rather than merely instrumentally valuable · Introductory Lecture, University College London, 1892 Knowledge Learning Morality
“I never yet heard it maintained by the wildest enthusiast for Classics that the standard of morality or even of amiability is higher among classical scholars than among men of science.” Questioning claims that scholarship necessarily improves moral character · Introductory Lecture, University College London, 1892 Character Education Morality
“Whatever is pleasant is good, unless it can be shewn that in the long run it is harmful.” A concise statement of Housman's argument about pleasure and value · Introductory Lecture, University College London, 1892 Happiness Morality Wisdom
