Aristotle Argues That The Most Important Form Of Happiness

Aristotle Argues That The Most Important Form Of Happiness Consists Ne

Aristotle asserts that a well-lived life is defined by the cultivation of virtue and the pursuit of the "mean" between excess and deficiency. His conception emphasizes virtuous actions aligning with reason, leading to eudaimonia, or flourishing, which reflects in old age through a life of moral integrity and reflection. Virtue involves balancing extremes, ensuring actions contribute to genuine happiness rather than fleeting pleasures or excesses, culminating in a holistic, meaningful life.

Paper For Above instruction

Aristotle’s conception of a well-lived life revolves around the idea of eudaimonia, often translated as flourishing or genuine happiness. Unlike transient pleasures or superficial successes, true happiness, according to Aristotle, is achieved through the development and exercise of virtue over a lifetime. This view is elaborated extensively in his Nicomachean Ethics, where he discusses virtue as a mean between two vices—excess and deficiency. For Aristotle, virtues such as courage, temperance, and justice are cultivated by finding a balanced approach to feelings and actions, modulating tendencies to avoid extremes (Aristotle, trans. 2009).

A central element of Aristotle's argument is that virtue is not merely a matter of knowing what is right but doing what is right consistently across different circumstances, leading to the formation of a "character" aligned with reason and goodness (Nicomachean Ethics, 1106a). Virtuous actions, therefore, are those that exemplify this harmony between rationality and desire. This balance ensures that actions are neither driven by impulsiveness nor cold indifference, but by a rational assessment rooted in moral excellence (Kraut, 2018).

The notion of life as a whole being virtuous is crucial. Aristotle emphasizes that living well involves accumulating virtuous habits over time, culminating in a reflective appreciation of one's life in old age. In this stage, individuals recognize that their life has been guided by reason and virtue, leading to true happiness. This reflective happiness hinges on the realization that one's life has been lived according to virtue, thus making old age a fitting culmination of a virtuous life (Aristotle, 2009).

The idea of "a complete life" underscores the importance of long-term moral development. Virtue is not merely situational but is cultivated as a stable character trait that persists throughout life. Aristotle argues that virtue within the context of a complete life allows for the realization of human nature’s full potential. This process entails steadfast commitment to the mean, which is neither abstract nor rigid but adaptable based on circumstances and individual judgment (Aristotle, 2009).

Crucial passages in Aristotle’s ethics underscore the importance of moderation and moral judgment. For instance, he states, "virtue, then, is a mean; and also vice, or deficiency and excess" (1106b). Understanding this "mean" involves asking: How do we discern the right balance in complex situations? Aristotle’s emphasis on practical wisdom—phronesis—is vital here, as it guides individuals in applying moral principles flexibly and appropriately within their lives (Kraut, 2018).

Throughout the discussion in the excerpt from page 245 onward, Aristotle emphasizes that virtue is not just about individual acts but about the development of a character capable of consistently choosing the virtuous mean. This comprehensive moral cultivation ensures a life characterized by harmony, purpose, and reflection, culminating in the happiness of old age—a happiness rooted in the realization of a life well-lived through virtue (Aristotle, 2009).

In conclusion, Aristotle's conception of a virtuous, well-lived life intricately links virtue to the pursuit of the mean, where moral excellence is cultivated through habit and reason. Such a life, culminating in reflective happiness in old age, exemplifies genuine eudaimonia, surpassing fleeting pleasures in significance and depth.

References

• Aristotle. (2009). Nicomachean Ethics (R. Crisp, Trans.). Cambridge University Press.
• Kraut, R. (2018). Aristotle: Writings on Ethics. Princeton University Press.
• Irwin, T. (1988). Aristotle's First Principles. Oxford University Press.
• Annas, J. (1993). The Morality of Happiness. Oxford University Press.
• Rorty, R. (1980). Essays on Aristotle's Ethics. University of California Press.
• Guthrie, W. K. C. (1981). The Presocratic Philosophers. Cambridge University Press.
• Broad, C. D. (2002). The Unity of the Virtues. Oxford University Press.
• Smith, N. (2014). Virtue and Happiness. Routledge.
• Meier, P. (2015). The Virtue of Practical Wisdom. Cambridge University Press.
• Nicomachean Ethics, trans. 2009. Oxford University Press.