Aristotle

Is Aristotle right- Highest good Happiness? Happiness is a challenging emotion or state of mind that is hard to define. It is remarkably difficult because every person on earth has a dissimilar view on happiness. Happiness should be understood as something that fulfills the person’s abilities. If he or she achieves happiness, then that equates to a balance of pleasure, honor, and self-sufficiency. Aristotle believes the greatest good is happiness. He describes happiness as, “an activity that is guided by and exercises the human virtues” (60). Is the highest good happiness? What are the characteristics of good? Do we all require habituation to become good? Such questions as these stirs up emotional reactions among debates of the topic. First of all, good in eudemonia, which is Greek for happiness, is a virtuously activity of the soul. It's described as thriving, flourishing, or well-being, and it's something that we can gain through contemplating. Aristotle initiates with this claim “every activity aims at some end” (80) . This claim is straightforward, in hope that every action (activity) we are undertaking, is for a reason and has a purpose (end). An example of this would be high school students trying to graduate. After students graduate (activity) they are able to land a job (end). We work hard to get a promotion (activity) to acquire more cash (end). We earn cash (activity) to purchase jewelry materials (end). This continues on to infinity, there's no endpoint, and it's for the sake of itself, and not for the sake for further activity to reach an end. Once we have a grasp on that concept some wonder, is there anything in the world that doesn't fit this description? To resume, happiness does not. Aristotle’s theory on happiness states, “happiness would be an "end in itself” (66). In the end we all want to feel that sense of accomplishment when we