Aristotle Reading and Writing Assignment
Question one
Aristotle defines happiness as the ultimate purpose and of the existence of humanity. It is neither virtue nor pleasure. However, it depicts the reality of virtue. Human beings cannot achieve happiness until death. Thus, happiness is not a temporary condition; it is a goal. The happiness of a person depends on the higher exercise of reason. It depends on gaining a moral character of justice, friendship, generosity, or courage in life. The definition of happiness by Aristotle is characterized by living well or flourishing. Happiness is a sufficient and complete good (Book 1 Section 4). Aristotle’s definition of happiness suggests that happiness is desired for itself; the desire is not for anything else. It also implies that happiness satisfies all human desires. It doesn’t consist of any evil. Besides, Aristotle believes that people cannot experience happiness as they live. However, it is achievable during death. Unlike pleasurable sensations, happiness cannot be lost or gained in a few hours. Its meaning is far more of the final life value than at the current time. It involves assessing how well an individual has lived his/her full potential. Aristotle’s definition does not include young children and animals. Animals are not included in the good life because they cannot exercise rationality. The exclusion of young children from this definition is because they are unable to practice the virtues, especially the intellectual virtues.
Question Two
By self-sufficiency, Aristotle states that it is something that makes life lacking in nothing, and worthy of choice. The requirement of self-sufficiency in life by Aristotle is applied as a central argument by people in expressing a complete interpretation of happiness in NE. A human being can experience happiness after a life of his/her deliberate choices and actions. Aristotle shows that people should pursue a life that lacks nothing, and that which is desirable. Children are not self-sufficient because parents control most of their choices actions.
Question Three
Moral values are shown through liberality, temperance, and courage. Aristotle states that understanding and wisdom are the key intellectual virtues. Understanding is articulated in scientific contemplation and endeavor, while wisdom governs ethical behavior (Book II Section 3). He further indicates that moral virtue involves actions that require a person to have the ability to respond to his/her thoughts and feelings. Intellectual virtues are those that are only gained through education. They include artistic, technical, and scientific knowledge.
Question Four
In the human activity, contemplation is the exercise of reason and rationality. It may be regarding a belief, or before an action (Book X Section 7). The highest intellectual value, according to Aristotle, is wisdom as it involves universal and unchanging truths, ad it relies on an understanding of nature and scientific investigation. Wisdom comprises the act of contemplation. Thus, the sure way for an individual to be happy is by continually searching for wisdom, and thus living a contemplative life.
Question Five
The reason why Aristotle thinks that we need friends is that people are not always self-sufficient, and they need to form relationships with one another. The three types of friendship, according to Aristotle, those based on delight/pleasure, those based on utility, and those founded on virtue (Book IX Section 8). For friendships based on utility, people interact for mutual benefits. This friendship is selfishly motivated and self-regarding, although it is mutually satisfactory. Friendships based on delight or pleasure are those created to eventuate or facilitate the pleasure of an individual. They are also self-focused ad self-regarding. The last form of friendship, based on virtue, complete the proposed purpose or design on friendship. Being the last cause of friendship, the parties have a common set of principles and values of moral nature.
Work Cited
Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics [1893]