Nicomachean Ethics: How Important Is Happiness In Our Lives?
How Important is Happiness in Our Lives?
There are many occurrences in life where we come across happiness. In this paper, I will relate Greek philosopher Aristotle’s words in his book Nicomachean Ethics, to the idea of happiness and his contrast of happiness and pleasure. Happiness is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience” (Merriam-Webster). However, there is much more to understand about the bigger picture and full idea of happiness. Happiness is our purpose as human beings and our highest goal. So why do we seek happiness in our daily world and try to avoid unjust pleasure at all costs?
Aristotle states in Nicomachen Ethics that “Happiness, then, is found to be something perfect and self-sufficient, being the end to which our actions are directed” (Nicomachean Ethics, Page 15, 1097b, lines 20-2). Happiness is the highest good because we choose happiness as an end sufficient in itself. We often want material things, like money, but we don’t want these things in an end in itself. We want money because it allows us to buy things that lead to pleasure and eventually happiness. There is nothing more that surpasses happiness, thus …show more content…
This is the last definition Aristotle gives for happiness. “Happiness, on the other hand is a state of mind. It is a reflection of what is going on inside ourselves” (Alvin). Happiness isn’t about external events we experience in our lives. It’s about internal fulfillment. We get this sense fulfillment through acting morally and with God in our lives. The highest good and the end toward which all human activity is directed is happiness, which can be defined as continuous contemplation of eternal and universal truth. Goods that serve as the means to other goods are subordinate to them. Something that is good for its own sake and subordinate to no other good would be the greatest good of
There are many occurrences in life where we come across happiness. In this paper, I will relate Greek philosopher Aristotle’s words in his book Nicomachean Ethics, to the idea of happiness and his contrast of happiness and pleasure. Happiness is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience” (Merriam-Webster). However, there is much more to understand about the bigger picture and full idea of happiness. Happiness is our purpose as human beings and our highest goal. So why do we seek happiness in our daily world and try to avoid unjust pleasure at all costs?
Aristotle states in Nicomachen Ethics that “Happiness, then, is found to be something perfect and self-sufficient, being the end to which our actions are directed” (Nicomachean Ethics, Page 15, 1097b, lines 20-2). Happiness is the highest good because we choose happiness as an end sufficient in itself. We often want material things, like money, but we don’t want these things in an end in itself. We want money because it allows us to buy things that lead to pleasure and eventually happiness. There is nothing more that surpasses happiness, thus …show more content…
This is the last definition Aristotle gives for happiness. “Happiness, on the other hand is a state of mind. It is a reflection of what is going on inside ourselves” (Alvin). Happiness isn’t about external events we experience in our lives. It’s about internal fulfillment. We get this sense fulfillment through acting morally and with God in our lives. The highest good and the end toward which all human activity is directed is happiness, which can be defined as continuous contemplation of eternal and universal truth. Goods that serve as the means to other goods are subordinate to them. Something that is good for its own sake and subordinate to no other good would be the greatest good of