An Exploration of Aristotle's Concept of Happiness and Virtue

This essay provides an overview of Aristotle's philosophy on happiness, primarily drawing from his work, Nicomachean Ethics. It explores Aristotle's assertion that happiness is the ultimate goal of human existence, achievable through the cultivation of virtues. The essay discusses Aristotle's perspective on happiness as an enduring and profound state, influenced by both internal factors like virtues and external factors like material circumstances. It emphasizes Aristotle's belief that individuals, through reason and virtue, can strive for and attain happiness, even amidst life's challenges. The essay also highlights the connection between happiness, health, and well-being, as integral components of a fulfilling life, and concludes that happiness transcends materialistic pleasures, representing the ultimate purpose of human existence.

Running head: ARISTOTLE ON HAPPINESS
Happiness
Name of Student:
Name of University:
Author Note

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ARISTOTLE ON HAPPINESS
Introduction
There has been many theorists and philosophers who have employed their wisdom and
knowledge to assess and understand happiness in human beings. There are discussions and
advocacy of the importance of happiness and how it can be achieved as Happiness is of great
importance to the existence of human beings. However, Aristotle is one of the pioneers who has
discussed the subject even before the thinkers of the modern times. He devoted his knowledge
and effort to conjure about Happiness and its fulfilment of human beings.
Discussion
Aristotle has been of the opinion that Happiness is determined by our own selves more than
others in his famous work, Nicomachean Ethics. He has considered it to be one of the prime
purpose of human existence. Every human being makes attempt to attain this as this is the final
and concluding goal of their lives (Begum et al.). In his exemplary work, he puts forwards the
idea of supreme good which is related to human beings. It is one of the most crucial and
critically acclaimed works of Aristotle. In the book, Aristotle mentions that Happiness is one of
the ultimate goals of the human beings which can be achieved with the help of virtues (Crisp,
Roger and Aristotle)
. The supreme goal and essence of the lives of people is Happiness.
He tells that human beings are much like plats as they too need nurturing. They are like
animals too, as they have sensibilities like animals too. Whereas, they are exceptional because of
their reasoning ability and the employment of wisdom. This distinguishes them from the other
creation of the world. He says that the main objective of people is to align their actions which
reason and logic. Happiness is something which can be perceived and attained only by human

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beings as it can perceived as an activity or an outcome. Happiness is, much like goodness or
virtue, enduring and profound.
Aristotle agrees that there are several other factors which determine or affect our
happiness. These factors can be in the form of material circumstances or sheer bad fortune which
restricts us from being happy (Csikszentmihalyi and Mihaly). At the same time, he argues that
human beings, who are rational and sensitive can aim at being happy or attaining that supreme
good with the help of virtues, Aristotle has said that these Virtues or habits are the reasons
behind determining our happiness. At the same time, which also means that this control lies with
the people, which can be perfected. Therefore, he says that a person who is able to strike balance
between the misfortunes which are faced in life and cope with such circumstances, is a person
more likely to be happy. He can thus, never be entirely unhappy with such attempts.
Aristotle also adds that happiness is linked to many other aspects of life such as out
health and well being (Russell and Daniel). Happiness being a culmination of our goals, is
directly linked to such aspects of our lives. These conditions are to be fulfilled in order to be
happy. He was able to being into existence, the science of Happiness by maintaining healthy
mental and physical conditions.
Conclusion
It can, thus be said that happiness is the culmination of all goals in life for human beings
which can be achieved with the help of virtues. Aristotle has been of the opinion that obtaining
happiness is, however, the end in itself which is beyond materialistic pleasures such as honor,
finance or pleasure. The purpose which is ultimate to the existence of mankind is happiness.

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References
Begum, Shagufta, Shaista Jabeen, and Aneeqa Batool Awan. "Happiness: A Psycho-
Philosophical Appraisal." Dialogue (Pakistan) 9.3 (2014).
Crisp, Roger, ed. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. Cambridge University Press, 2014.
Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. Flow: The psychology of happiness. Random House, 2013.
Russell, Daniel C. "Virtue ethics, happiness, and the good life." The Cambridge companion to
virtue ethics (2013): 7-28.