Aristotle’s Theory of Virtue and Happiness
Aristotle’s Theory of Virtue and Happiness
Aristotle was one of the most respected philosophers of all time. He wrote on many subjects covering a wide range of topics; politics, psychology, metaphysics, logic and ethics. In the article “Nature of Virtue” written by Aristotle, his theory of a persons happiness and good morals is explained. I agree that a human’s goal in life is to be happy, and to live a good life but happiness and good do not come hand in hand. In this paper, I disagree with Aristotle’s proper function argument.
The word happiness is a much broader term to Aristotle than what we think of. (Johnston, Para. F) By happiness he means successful, living a good life and physical well being. A fully happy life would include success for themselves, their family and descendants. The idea of good and happiness according to Aristotle is based around the proper function argument. The proper function argument is basically that every man is brought to this earth to have a function. Happiness is the main goal in someone’s life, and this comes with a function. “For all things that have a function or activity, the good and “well is thought to reside in the function.” We are not on this earth to merely live, but to do our best to live well. (Cahn 113) Something is good if it performs its proper function for example, a good movie. If you watch a movie and you think its good, than it has performed its proper function. The purpose of broccoli is to feed and give people nutrition, the purpose of a truck is to transport objects, and the purpose of one human may to be a plumber. Fixing sinks and toilets is this human’s function, and if done successfully, happiness will be achieved. “The function of humans is an activity of the soul and must act in accordance with virtue, or goodness.” A person can only be happy when they are fulfilling their function. (Cahn 114).
When a person is fulfilling their function, they are eudaimon. Eudaimonia is the Greek term for
Aristotle was one of the most respected philosophers of all time. He wrote on many subjects covering a wide range of topics; politics, psychology, metaphysics, logic and ethics. In the article “Nature of Virtue” written by Aristotle, his theory of a persons happiness and good morals is explained. I agree that a human’s goal in life is to be happy, and to live a good life but happiness and good do not come hand in hand. In this paper, I disagree with Aristotle’s proper function argument.
The word happiness is a much broader term to Aristotle than what we think of. (Johnston, Para. F) By happiness he means successful, living a good life and physical well being. A fully happy life would include success for themselves, their family and descendants. The idea of good and happiness according to Aristotle is based around the proper function argument. The proper function argument is basically that every man is brought to this earth to have a function. Happiness is the main goal in someone’s life, and this comes with a function. “For all things that have a function or activity, the good and “well is thought to reside in the function.” We are not on this earth to merely live, but to do our best to live well. (Cahn 113) Something is good if it performs its proper function for example, a good movie. If you watch a movie and you think its good, than it has performed its proper function. The purpose of broccoli is to feed and give people nutrition, the purpose of a truck is to transport objects, and the purpose of one human may to be a plumber. Fixing sinks and toilets is this human’s function, and if done successfully, happiness will be achieved. “The function of humans is an activity of the soul and must act in accordance with virtue, or goodness.” A person can only be happy when they are fulfilling their function. (Cahn 114).
When a person is fulfilling their function, they are eudaimon. Eudaimonia is the Greek term for
Cited: Johnston, Ian. " Lecture on Aristotle 's Nicomachaean Ethics." Records. November 18th, 1997. http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/introser/aristot.htm. April 15th, 2010. Cahn Steven. "Exploring Ethics." Aristotle: The Nature of Virtue. Ed. Steven M. Cahn. New York: Oxford University Press. 2009. Pg 113-117. “The Human Good and Function Argument.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 2001. May 1st, 2001. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/#HumGooFunArg. April 15th, 2010. “Traditional Virtues and The Skeptic.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. N.P. May 1st, 2001. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/#HumGooFunArg. April 15th, 2010. Stevenson, Jay. “The Complete Idiots Guide to Philosophy.” The Golden Mean. Ed. Drew Patty. 2nd Edition. 2002. Pg 67. Popkin, Richard. “Philosophy Made Simple.” Criticism of Aristotle. Richard Popkin and A. Stroll. New York, 1993. Pg 10-11.