Aristotle says that the eudaimon life is one of "virtuous activity in accordance with reason" [1097b22–1098a20]; even Epicurus, who argues that the eudaimon life is the life of pleasure, maintains that the life of pleasure coincides with the life of virtue. Finally, after so much consideration, we receive our answer, friends. For instance, generosity is only possible if we have an excess of resources and other citizens to receive our generosity. Aristotle concludes that pleasure is not a process or a state of being. Finding the appropriate pleasure for our lives means arriving at a happy life, which Aristotle believed was synonymous with a good life. One must get rid of all meddlers and all of the so-called well-doers who are thinking that one must live [their] way…, Such people can cause a lot of damage and a lot of unhappiness in one’s life…, Such people are actually destroying parts of one’s life, many times…, They’re actually evil…and doesn’t want one to develop into a complete individual, and this is common amongst church groups… Therefore, these things are not good in themselves, but only good in that they allow us to receive other things. © 2020 Classical Wisdom Limited. By pursuing wisdom and a life of study, we become closer to the gods, divine in our own small way. Aristotle is not offering a magic wand to erase all threats to happiness. He states that the gods are most assuredly all-knowing, and so by pursuing a life of wisdom we come closer to the divine. The good life is therefore the rational activity of the soul, as guided by the virtues. He was a student of Plato who in turn studied under Socrates. A being is happy when it acts according to its nature, achieving the highest perfection about it. Aristotle tells us that it is the. To Aristotle, happiness consists in achieving, through the course of a whole lifetime, all the goods; health, wealth, knowledge, friends, etc. We need not consider these people, for they misunderstand true happiness and are flawed for this reason. Reaching the ‘ultimate perfection of our natures’, as Aristotle meant by happiness, includes rational reflection (Pursuit of Happiness, 2008). Aristotle On Happiness: Principles And Theories. Finally, we must ask, which virtue is the truest, the most honorable, and the noblest? Aristotle also appeals to the gods to make his case for a life in pursuit of wisdom. If we can conclude both of these things, then we can safely assume that the shipbuilder will be capable of building his ship; at the completion of this activity, there will be pleasure. Also, we would have to be sure that the object of the activity (the ship) is constructed from appropriate materials that are in good condition. Aristotle then tells us that life is an activity and, as is true with all activities, pleasure should be the natural end for life. To Aristotle, happiness consists in achieving, through the course of a whole lifetime, all the goods; health, wealth, knowledge, friends, etc. A happy life and a good life are synonymous. Happiness in general terms is a belief, an idea and a theory. So we have seen that pleasure is the natural end of an activity. Man is characterized by reason and be happy when you live according to it, i.e., when engaged in intellectual activities. We may pursue wisdom for our own pleasure and we require nobody else to have this virtue realized. Therefore, it might not be a bad idea to acquire some wealth so that you can afford things like groceries or a studio apartment. He argued that education was the embodiment of character refinement (Pursuit of Happiness, 2008). There may certainly be others who would disagree with the excellent person. Aristotle in his work Nicomachean Ethics said that human actions are necessary to realize the ultimate good — happiness or eudaimonia. Aristotle’s Theory of Virtue and Happiness Aristotle was one of the most respected philosophers of all time. The answer, it would seem, is that we just do. Tags: Aristotle, Classical Ethics, ethical egoism, Ethics, Happiness, hedonism, Moral philosophy, Pleasure, Seneca, Stoic, Stoicism, Virtue, virtue ethics. Disclaimer Terms of Publication Privacy Policy and Cookies Sitemap RSS Contact Us, While the works of Aristotle are numerous, detailed, and profound in their own ways, it is arguable that the philosopher’s most notable contributions are in the realm of Ethics. According to Aristotle, the dead are more blessed and happier than the living, and to die is to return to one’s real home. They want one to do what they want one to do and one is not supposed to mature in something. More precisely, pleasure is the thing that completes an activity. Aristotle dismisses this rather easily. While other virtues require others to receive the bounty, wisdom is desirable in itself. “Happiness is activity.” – Aristotle. Since man is a rational animal, human happiness depends on the exercise of his reason. Aristotle considers wisdom to be, in some ways, divine, for it is believed that the gods are happiest of all. Then we arrive at wisdom, which requires nothing external to be realized. Of all the virtues the gods may possess, eternal and complete wisdom is the most fundamental and powerful. This is unsurprising since many are corrupted by evils and selfish desires. That would beg the question, ‘why do anything at all?’ Aristotle argues that there must be a final end to our actions. If a pursuit of wisdom is truly the happiest of lives, then it is perhaps unsurprising that after accumulating great wealth, and raising a beautiful family, so many people find themselves returning to study, the activity that is supremely pleasant. This is the final goal and purpose of human existence. Believe it or not, not all virtues are created equal. Aristotle then tells us that life is an activity and, as is true with all activities, pleasure should be the natural end for life. Still, if you are going to sob, it will be much more comfortable while sitting in a Mercedes Benz rather than on a public bus.”. And our struggles must be an attempt to arrive at wisdom, requires! Humanity from animals, its … Aristotle on happiness: Principles and theories the level of animals for! Be good with happiness, 2008 ) happiest of all that will make us happiest Aristotle the! 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