Aristotle On Happiness And Virtue Essay

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Aristotle once stated that, “But if happiness be the exercise of virtue, it is reasonable to suppose that it will be the exercise of the highest virtue; and that will be the virtue or excellence of the best part of us.” (481) It is through Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics that we are able to gain insight into ancient Greece’s moral and ethical thoughts. Aristotle argues his theory on what happiness and virtue are and how man should achieve them. The pursuit for happiness has been a quest for man throughout the ages. In his ethics, Aristotle argues that happiness is the only thing that the rational man desires for its own sake, thus, making it good and natural. Although he lists three types of life for man, enjoyment, statesman, and contemplative, it is the philosopher whom is happiest of all due to his understanding and appreciation of reason. Aristotle’s version of happiness is not perceived to include wealth, honor, or trivial …show more content…

His argument on what happiness really is differs from a modern perspective by the fact that Aristotle defines happiness as a means to an end and that makes it good and natural. A modern definition defines happiness as being more concerned with man’s journey rather than the end result. I do agree with his opinion that projecting goodwill into the world by being a model citizen will ensure that positivity will come back that way. For example a man who performs good acts will have a decent life and acquire his virtues along the way. I also agree with Aristotle’s notion of virtues being achieved through both thought and action. For example, ‘Pass it on’ is a fad that has become popular in recent years in which people do random acts of kindness for strangers just to ‘pass on’ the kindness with hopes that it will one day return. Aristotle’s Ethics is a theory of enlightenment for mankind on their journey to achieve happiness and

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