Aristotle s Views On Happiness - 1509 Words

This paper will focus on Aristotle’s claim that happiness is an activity and not just a momentary pleasure. Skeptics claim happiness is a state of mind and Aristotle is wrong to claim that happiness is an ongoing pursuit a person must actively strive for during one’s life. This paper argues that Aristotle is correct when he states that happiness is an activity, the central purpose of human life and a goal in itself that individuals strive for throughout the entirety of their lifetime and ultimately attain rather than a feeling a person experiences at any given moment. First, Aristotle’s view of happiness will be explained and then I will present objections to Aristotle’s claim that happiness is an activity. Lastly, I will address the†¦show more content†¦Aristotle’s belief is that the happiness a person experiences by living an excellent and meaningful life is much more than temporary pleasure that is found and lost in a short period of tim e. Aristotle explains happiness as being self-sufficient and is continually sought after in practice. He explains the path to fully understand ultimate happiness is â€Å"best done by first ascertaining the proper function of man† (1097b 22-24). The function of man, according to Aristotle, differs from all other natural organism on Earth. Human beings are unique having the ability to understand and reason (1098a 1-5). Because we can reason we are capable of learning from our mistakes and will actively pursue virtue since we understand the consequences of our actions. Aristotle points out that animals and children differ in this respect as they lack the capability of making rational decisions (1100a 1-3). Aristotle uses the example of the harpist, â€Å"the proper function of a harpist is to play the harp; the function of the harpist who has high standards is to play it well† (1098a 12-13). Aristotle explains the goal or end for the good harpist is attaining excellence in playing the harp through constant repetition and practice. Individuals who have the ability to reason can follow this example of the harpist and strive for excellence in activities that demonstrate virtue. Similar to the harpist who uses constant reinforcement and endless practice to achieveShow MoreRelatedAristotle s Views On Happiness2248 Words   |  9 Pages Happiness is the fundamental objective of life. This bold statement is unanimously agreed upon among generations of people on every corner of our planet. However, the real question that has been contested for centuries is the true meaning of happiness? The true meaning of happiness is one of the most highly debated philosophy topics in history. Most famous are the writings of Aristotle and John Stuart Mill who both paint very opposing pictures of happiness. Mill believes happiness is obtained throughRead MoreAristotle s Views On Happiness1394 Words   |  6 Pages Happiness Happiness. It is not measurable, profitable, nor tradable. Yet, above all else in the world, it is what people seek. There are many claims that happiness can be achieved through money, yet many challenge that theory. The modern definition of happiness claimed by the dictionary is â€Å"feelings of joy and pleasure mingled together†. In other words, it is claimed to be a state of mind. However, Aristotle proposed that, rather than being a state of emotion throughout life, happiness is the finalRead MoreAristotle s Views On Happiness999 Words   |  4 PagesAristotle, Epicurus, Epictetus, Boethius, Augustine, and Aquinas connected on writing about the phenomenon of human happiness. 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Indeed, we may go further and assert that anyone who does not delight in fine actions is not even a good man.(Aristotle) A life of virtue implies a life of reasoning for the end goalRead MoreAristotle s Views On Happiness1582 Words   |  7 Pagesothers. For example, there is almost nothing from Aristotle that I agree with, but I agree with almost everything Berry says. In this essay, I will walk through Aristotle, Berry, and Day, and decide whether I agree or disagree . Then, I will give my own personal view on happiness. ARISTOTLE: Aristotle was an Ancient Greek philosopher who was taught by Plato, and taught Alexander the Great. In his writings, Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states that happiness is a way of walking through life, and is a completeRead MoreAristotle s View Of Happiness1810 Words   |  8 PagesAccording to Aristotle, happiness is the highest goal of a human being, because it is the only goal that is an end in itself, and is not pursued for the sake of something else. He defines happiness as: â€Å"activity of the soul in accordance with complete virtue in a complete life.† He then goes on, in Book X, to argue that the complete happiness for human beings lies in the life of study. Plato, on the other hand, does agree that all humans aim to achieve the highest goal or end (telos), but does notRead MoreAristotle s Views On Happiness And Moral Virtue Essay1593 Words   |  7 PagesTiverio Madrigal Landa Philosophy 002 October 13, 2016 Happiness and Moral Virtue Every few decades, an individual revolutionizes the way that we think and perceive the world. During the year 300 B.C., the foundation of philosophy was started by Aristotle and his learning from Plato and Socrates. A few centuries later, Thomas Hobbes beliefs challenged Aristotle s views. At the time, it was not known that their ideas would revolutionize the way we see the world around us today. Even though theyRead MoreAristotle s Views On Human Happiness1022 Words   |  5 Pages2 -PURPOSE OF HAPPINESS For Aristotle, happiness was related to a natural function. He argued that if we as human fulfilled our natural function/purpose then we will be able to be happy and â€Å"want for nothing at all† (page 91). Aristotle believed that human happiness refers to the function most proper to the human should and essentially the function must be exclusive to human. He argues that this supposed function is a practical aspect of life that comes from the rational part within humans. The useRead MoreAristotle s Views On Morality And Happiness1948 Words   |  8 PagesJared Sanders 5/4/16 PHI 372: Ethical Inquiry Term Paper What, if anything, does happiness have to do with morality. According to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, there is a direct connection between morality and happiness. Aristotle states that happiness is the main goal of human existence. He follows this idea by saying the only way to achieve happiness is through his account of morality. Aristotle’s â€Å"happiness† is a translation of the Greek word Eudaimonia. A definition of Eudaimonia could be â€Å"theRead MoreThe Philosophy Of Aristotle s Views On Happiness And Human Flourishing With His Philosophy991 Words   |  4 Pagesback. For example, I put into my life my thoughts, my beliefs and my behaviors. What I get back from this is my reality that my thoughts, beliefs and behaviors have created. In my philosophy like Aristotle, I believe in Aristotle’s views on happiness and human flourishing with his philosophy. (Aristotle 4) I also believe in some of Kant’s philosophy through his concept of its our duty to live up to our highest moral capacity. (Kant 3) I believe it will make the world a better place in the sense that