Comparing Nichomachean Ethics And Letter To Monoeceus By Aristotle

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that seeks to discover the most fundamental levels regarding the true nature of “good” and “happiness.” Within Ethics, there are several different sub-branches including those which will be discussed here: Aristotle’s Teleology and Epicurus’ Hedonism. Nichomachean Ethics by Aristotle and Letter to Monoeceus by Epicurus provide us with two different perspectives concerning what happiness is. The following comparisons between these works highlight some of the the similiraties and differences between the two perspectives.
Aristotle’s Teleology defines happiness and what is good as human flourishing in accordance with human nature and the function of a human. In Nichomachean Ethics, the human function or purpose is a “kind of life and activity of the soul in accordance with reason,” and “happiness is an activity of the soul.” Rational thought is considered to be unique to humanity and is fundamental to human nature. Aristotle claims that “happiness” is the highest end because it is the one end that we seek for its own sake. Additionally, he claims that a happy life is a life in accord with virtue involving serious actions. The best virtue is said to be understanding. According to Aristotle, “ complete happiness will be its activity in accord with its proper virtue.” The
In Aristotle’s Teleology, one must act and participate in order to reach the highest level of happiness. Similarly, Epicurus’s Letter to Monoeceus claims that one must “practice the things which produce happiness,” and “if it is absent, we do everything in order ot have it.” Epicurus also states that it is “better to be unlucky in a rational way than a senseless way; for it is better for a good decision to turn out right in action than for a bad decision to turn out right by chance.” Aristotle, likewise, also advocates rational actions. Both philosophers claim that prudence is a necessary virtue to the