![]() Thus, Aristotle concluded that courage was the Golden Mean and was, therefore, a virtue (Rescher, 2015, pp. On the contrary, rashness is regarded as flawed excess. For example, in the situation of self-projection, cowardice is considered as a flawed insufficiency. He deemed this point of balance as the “Golden Mean”. Aristotle believed that to become virtuous, a balance between insufficiency and excess is necessary. However, to follow these virtues is not simple. To reach eudaimonia, Aristotle attributed virtues to engage with the soul for the natural good (Rayner, 2011). Aristotle deemed this finite satisfaction as “eudaimonia” (Solomon, 2001, p. Furthermore, virtues are not innate and are learned through every action. He determined that only Greek citizens, excluding women, slaves, and children, could achieve this ultimate happiness. ![]() While this process may appear to be a matter of individual achievement, Aristotle argued that it was a social construct. According to Aristotle, the path to ultimate happiness involves a rational process of reaching “perfect virtue” through self-realization. Aristotle’s concept of happiness extended beyond emotion- it was the practice of ‘living well. However, the term ‘happiness’ is ambiguous and difficult to define. Therefore, he concluded that happiness was the final, desirable, natural good for humans. Moreover, happiness can pass through friends and family but to avoid infinite regress, Aristotle determined that an ultimate end was needed. He maintained that success and pleasure are desired partially for themselves but additionally for attaining happiness. ![]() He rejected pleasure and success and proposed they were not desirable for singular purposes. Aristotle believed that every human activity was for the sake of absolute satisfaction. Influenced by Plato and Socrates’ ideas surrounding virtue ethics, Aristotle sought to refine such ideas (Moore, 2019). This investigation will lead to a discussion about whether it is better to aspire towards ultimate happiness or restrict human ambition for its safety.Īristotle’s Nicomedian Ethics reveals the underlying interpretation of ultimate happiness in Western thought. Defining what ultimate happiness is and examining if it is possible to achieve such a concept will aid in comprehending such a perplexing question. ![]() Such a question has resulted in many interpretations and theories that have led to extreme violence, oppression, and affliction. Throughout the history of humankind, the ethical question of whether or not humans should pursue ultimate happiness without boundaries is often a source of philosophical discourse. ![]()
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