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This 5 page paper contemplates Aristotle's ideas on happiness. Aristotle's claim that the central core of happiness is virtuous rational activity is discussed. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA318hap.rtf
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in financial chaos to go on vacation or even just to go shopping to decorate their abodes. There is stress, but all is in pursuit of happiness. Yet, happiness proves
illusive and seems fleeting to many. What is happiness anyway? Some of the ancient philosophers might have a take on the subject. To Aristotle, a truly happy life is a
fulfilled life which is different from a life of hedonism. Aristotle does not dwell on fleeting moments, but rather, sees the larger questions of life as important. True happiness is
entrenched in goodness and doing the right thing, as opposed to experiencing moments of pleasure. Most importantly, Aristotle argues that the central core of happiness is virtuous rational activity.
Many people do understand that a life of hedonism is not necessarily something that will bring happiness. Aristotle however seems to go a bit further. He explains in Book
II of Nicomachean Ethics that virtue is aligned with character. He says: "Virtue, then, is a state of character concerned with choice, lying in a mean, i.e. the mean relative
to us, this being determined by a rational principle, and by that principle by which the man of practical wisdom would determine it" (Aristotle, 350 B.C.E., p. PG). Here he
brings up the subject of lying, a principle in society that seems to be upheld. Certainly, it is not relative, but permeates all eras. Virtue is certainly more than
a feeling and honesty is a virtue, for example. It is something that one acquires when living a contemplative, full life. It is not easy. Confucius noted in his
Doctrine of the Mean that it is rare when people actually practice virtue. Similarly, Aristotle divides the world into two, and some people live lives of contemplation and reason, while
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