Aristotle Says That The Virtues Are Necessary For Humans

Aristotle Says That The Virtues Are Necessary For Humans To Attain Hap

Aristotle asserts that the cultivation of virtues is essential for humans to achieve eudaimonia, often translated as 'flourishing' or 'living well.' Unlike hedonistic happiness, which pertains to pleasurable sensations, eudaimonia encompasses a fulfilling and morally virtuous life rooted in rational activity and moral excellence. Aristotle’s virtue ethics emphasizes that virtues such as courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom enable individuals to act in accordance with reason, leading to genuine happiness. Conversely, a person lacking virtues may experience pleasure or success but not truly flourish, as their life may lack moral integrity and purpose.

Understanding Virtue and Flourishing

Aristotle’s concept of virtues pertains to character traits that lie at the mean between deficiencies and excesses of impulses and desires (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics). For example, courage is the virtue between recklessness and cowardice, enabling individuals to face fears appropriately. When virtues are cultivated, individuals act in ways that promote their own well-being and the good of society, ultimately leading to eudaimonia.

This perspective underscores that happiness is not merely feeling good but involves living a life of moral integrity in accordance with virtues. Virtues are thus necessary because they guide individuals to act rightly, fostering a harmonious soul that aligns with rational principles. Without virtues, actions may be motivated solely by self-interest, pleasure, or superficial success, which do not constitute true flourishing in Aristotle’s view.

The Deceptive Happiness of the Vice-Laden Individual

Consider a person who is deceitful, selfish, greedy, and self-indulgent yet enjoys great pleasure and appears outwardly happy. According to Aristotle, this individual is not truly flourishing. Their happiness is superficial, resting on external pleasures or possessions rather than on a well-ordered soul guided by virtues. Their life lacks moral virtue, which is central to authentic happiness in virtue ethics, and thus they are not genuinely flourishing (Nussbaum, n.d.).

This distinction is exemplified in literature and film. For instance, in Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," Shylock's greed and desire for revenge do not lead to genuine happiness; rather, they result in loss and internal conflict. Similarly, in the film "The Wolf of Wall Street," Jordan Belfort’s pursuit of wealth and pleasure ultimately results in moral decay, legal consequences, and personal dissatisfaction, illustrating that external success and pleasure do not equate to true flourishing (Wingclips, n.d.).

Virtues as Foundations for True Happiness

Authentic happiness, in Aristotle’s framework, requires the development of virtues, which foster moral character and rational activity. Virtues serve as the bedrock of a fulfilled life because they enable individuals to navigate challenges effectively, regulate passions, and contribute to the common good (Hill, 1983). For example, courage empowers a soldier to face danger bravely, justice ensures fairness in social interactions, and wisdom guides prudent decision-making (Robinson, 2007).

Virtue ethics emphasizes that virtues are cultivated through habituation and deliberate practice over time, leading to a stable moral character. Such characters tend to seek the right course of action not merely for external rewards but because of an inherent commitment to moral excellence. Through this process, individuals attain a state of eudaimonia, which is sustained and resilient, regardless of external circumstances (Nussbaum, n.d.).

Contrasts with Other Ethical Theories

Unlike utilitarianism, which focuses on maximizing pleasure or happiness, or deontological ethics, which emphasizes adherence to moral rules, virtue ethics centers on character development. The latter recognizes that a person's virtues fundamentally influence their actions and happiness (Hill, 1983). Therefore, even if a person enjoys pleasurable experiences without virtues, their life lacks the moral depth necessary for true flourishing.

The importance of virtues extends beyond individual well-being to societal stability. For example, Robinson (2007) discusses military virtues like magnanimity and integrity, highlighting that virtues rooted in character are vital for cohesive and effective institutions. Similarly, environmental virtues, as considered by Hill (1983), demonstrate how moral virtues contribute to sustainability and harmony with nature, reflecting that virtues are integral to human flourishing on multiple levels.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Aristotle’s assertion that virtues are necessary for human flourishing underscores that authentic happiness derives from living a morally virtuous life. Superficial happiness founded on greed, deception, or pleasure without virtue does not constitute true flourishing, as it lacks moral integrity and harmony of soul. Real happiness entails developing virtues that guide rational activity and moral character, enabling individuals to experience a fulfilled and meaningful life. Therefore, cultivating virtues is central to living well, both for personal fulfillment and societal harmony.

References

• Hill, T. (1983). Ideals of human excellence and preserving natural environments. Journal of Environmental Ethics, 5(3), 211–224.
• Nussbaum, M. (n.d.). Virtue ethics [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.example.com
• Robinson, P. (2007). Magnanimity and integrity as military virtues. Journal of Military Ethics, 6(4), 23–37.
• Aristotle. (trans. Irwin, T.). (1985). Nicomachean Ethics. University of Chicago Press.
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