Self-Sufficient Happiness or Happiness Dependent on Other Influences

Aristotle’s theory and self-sufficiency

Aristotle’s theories start by expressing happiness as the number one importance in life . The only way to obtain this absolute happiness is to be a good person and commit good actions. In Aristotle’s theory he expresses different avenues to achieve being a good person, some of which will be discussed later on. Along the way, Aristotle states “happiness, then, is something final and self-sufficient, and is the end of action.” This raises the question is happiness in Aristotle’s eyes, something that is obtained self-sufficiently or does happiness also require outside influences? With the prior quote, one would conclude that happiness is in in fact self-sufficient. I would argue that in Aristotle’s theory happiness is not just self-sufficient because of his statements on external goods, others affecting your life, and politics being the best end.

External goods

Two aspects effect happiness in Aristotle’s mind: external goods, and other’s relating to one’s self. External goods entail wealth, family, friends, positive experiences, tragedies in life, and self-appearance. One may ask how these obscure factors effect one’s happiness. A person who has all the money in the world, has the means to do whatever they please to affect the greater good. If they want to donate a million dollars to charity that person can make a huge difference in the world. An ugly person in the eyes of society, may be persecuted daily for his appearance. Experiences and tragedies would ultimately sway your happiness one way or another by effecting the way you perceive your life. Aristotle highlights this by saying “while a single man may suffer many turns of fortune's wheel.” Family and friends with a negative atti...

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...ent in personal happiness but, should not be allowed to dictate your end happiness. In my option, a person’s happiness is mostly consistent of perspective and the drive to strive for happiness. I will close with a quote from Lear, “As the happy person navigates life’s ups and downs, he keeps his eye firmly on the target of happiness.”

Works Cited

Biblography

Aristotle. Translated by Ross, W. D. Nicomachean Ethics. 350 B.C.E. (accessed February 13, 2014). http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.html

Richardson Lear, Gabriel. Happy Lives and the Highest Good : An Essay on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University, 2004. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed February 13, 2014). http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/ehost/detail?sid=281a92c3-bf60-449f-8d0e-f12bc189a97a@sessionmgr110&vid=3#db=nlebk&AN=286654