Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle Vs. Butler

Aristotle and Butler received both criticism and praise for their views on sensitive topics, such as happiness and virtue. Aristotle was best known by modern audiences for his answer to a basic, yet disputable topic: what does it mean to be happy? Butler, on the other hand, spoke in a more technological way, in which he describes happiness as when one gets what he wants. When comparing these thinkers, it becomes clear that, although they agree on certain points, a large discrepancy still exists between some of their fundamental concepts.

In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle argues that the highest end is the human good, while claiming that the highest end pursued in actions is happiness. On page 135, Aristotle describes happiness a little further

“Self-love and any particular passion may be joined together; and from this complication, it becomes impossible in numberless instances to determine precisely, how far an action, perhaps even of one’s own, has for its principle general self-love, or some particular passion.” (Butler, p.g. 213) Butler meant that an overabundance of self-love can hinder us from being truly happy, and that benevolence (love of one’s neighbor) cannot prevent us from being happy. But like Aristotle, Butler believes that everyone has the right to happiness. But, everything in a balance. “Upon the whole if the generality of mankind were to cultivate within themselves the principle of self-love; if they were to accustom themselves often to set down and consider, what was the greatest happiness they were capable of attaining for themselves in this life, and if self-love were so strong and prevalent, as that they would uniformly pursue this their supposed chief temporal good, without being diverted from it by any particular passion; it would manifestly prevent numberless follies and vices.” By saying this, Butler meant that if everyone were able to accept and habituate the actions of self-love, it would avert recklessness and immorality. Lastly, Butler asserts the fact that happiness is only found in enjoyment of objects that are best suited for each individual’s needs.