How Does Aristotle Think One Finds Happiness

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The Answer is Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, had a distinctive view on how one finds happiness, which he discusses in his work "Nicomachean Ethics." According to Aristotle, happiness (or eudaimonia in Greek) is the highest good and the ultimate end that humans aim for. He believed that happiness is achieved through the fulfillment of our nature as rational beings by living a life of virtue.

Aristotle posits that happiness is not found in the pursuit of pleasure or the accumulation of wealth, as these are seen as too superficial and transient to constitute true happiness. Instead, he argues that happiness is found by living a life in accordance with virtue. Virtue, for Aristotle, is a disposition to act in the right way, a mean between the extremes of deficiency and excess, which he calls the "Golden Mean." This involves the exercise of reason and the practice of good habits.

To find happiness, one must develop and exercise the moral virtues, such as courage, temperance, justice, and prudence, as well as the intellectual virtues, such as wisdom and understanding. By doing so, individuals can achieve a state of character that allows them to make the right choices and engage in actions that fulfill their potential as human beings.

Aristotle also emphasizes the importance of external goods to some extent, acknowledging that certain material conditions can contribute to a flourishing life. However, these are not the primary focus; rather, they provide the necessary support for the practice of virtue.

In summary, Aristotle believes that one finds happiness by living a life of virtue, which involves cultivating a good character, making rational choices, and engaging in activities that are in harmony with one's true nature as a rational and social being. This pursuit of virtue leads to the development of a well-lived life, which is the essence of true happiness according to Aristotle.

How Does Aristotle Think One Finds Happiness

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