Ashley Gloates Horta Reflection Paper Dr.

Moreland Write a paper that discusses what Aristotle thinks makes for a happy life, and whether you do or do not agree with him about these reflections. It is thought that every action and every pursuit aims at some good.1 The difference then is found among the ends and the products. Since there are so many actions and arts and options as to what to pursue, the ends also turn out to be many. According to Aristotle, happiness therefore comes from acquiring the knowledge that pursuing a master art involves instead of choosing to pursue the ends which come under them. For example, if what would make for a happy life is wealth, to achieve the knowledge household management encompasses is what will bring happiness and satisfaction; not just pursuing wealth. After having the knowledge gained by pursuing a master art or a higher good, I believe it is possible to develop awareness of what it is that will make a person feel satisfied. Aristotle says that achieving human good is what will make a person feel satisfied. The things considered good involve great inconsistency because they are born to convention and not nature. Customs, rules, and tradition are what restrain and dictate the standards society has developed towards what is considered good, just, and beautiful. Because he also realizes this, Aristotle concludes that one must feel content 2 when speaking of this inconsistent subject, with pointing out the truth roughly and in outline. 3 I think that the deficiency of people who benefit from knowledge does not come from the time we live in, but from a society that lives in accord. I believe that if people followed their perhaps unconventional intuition it would be possible for them to feel satisfied with the opinions they have developed as a consequence of their own personal experiences. I agree with Aristotle in that when the subject of discussion is so open to diversity, it is imminent to point out the truth and the fact from the opinion.

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Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. Book One, Chapter 1. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. Book One, Chapter 3. 3 Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. Book One, Chapter 3.

Happiness, according to Aristotle, is of all the goods aimed at by action, the highest.4 Aristotle believes that there are three ways of life 5 which people follow while pursuing happiness. Some people assume that living comfortably is the same thing as being happy. These people who associate happiness with different things according to their circumstance would be considered to be content with a life on enjoyment. 6 For example, a sick person would consider happiness to be the same thing as health. The second lifestyle choice would be the people who decide to lead a political life; they seek virtue. Virtue means the excellence that makes anything an outstanding specimen of its kind.7 Aristotle says that a third life style is necessary because having virtue seems incomplete, since while living a life of virtue it is possible to be asleep or to be inactive throughout life, and on top of these things, to suffer evils and the greatest misfortunes. 8 The third lifestyle is the contemplative lifestyle. I am not sure that I agree with Aristotle in his description of the three lifestyles. I do believe that there are people who aim at having a comfortable life and who only become satisfied when their condition is satisfied. I think that the contemplative lifestyle and the life of virtue could be easily combined into what Aristotle was explaining before about opinions and judgment on diverse subjects. Besides describing virtue as the end politicians aim for, Aristotle defines virtue as a state of character concerned with choice, lying in the mean, 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.9 I fully agree with Aristotle in his definition of virtue as a state of character concerned with choice. The society I grew up in most generally portrays happiness as the result of success and success as making money. I think that a non-conforming attitude (or to Aristotle to know what is beautiful and just) is always necessary since society will always develop generalized traditions and ideals. If the virtue in choice-making is found in the mean (the mean is relative to our own judgment) of a rational principle (like courage, temperance, liberality, magnificence,
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Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. 6 Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. 7 Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. 8 Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. 9 Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics.

Book One, Chapter 4. Book One, Chapter 5. Book One, Chapter 5. Book One, Chapter 5. Footnote 5. Book One, Chapter 5. Book Two, Chapter 6.

proper pride, good temper, and friendliness) a wise man will be able to determine which rational principles to consider according to each situation and to what extent. I believe this would make a persons life both virtuous and contemplative which would inevitably lead to satisfaction and happiness.