Conception Of Happiness In Nichomachean Ethics By Aristotle
918 Words4 Pages
Dating back to Ancient Greece, philosophers have concerned themselves with the different conceptions of human happiness or well-being. Aristotle touches upon his opinion on what makes an individual happy in his book, Nichomachean Ethics. He explains that happiness is the highest form of good to, the supreme Good. From of all the philosophers studied, Aristotle’s conception of happiness has resonated most with my own beliefs. In his text, he describes happiness as “the best, most noblest and most pleasant thing in the world” and explains that happiness is created as a goal and the central purpose of an individual’s (332). I aim to be successful in life and I believe that success is happiness. My ultimate goal is success, which I consider happiness. Through my experience reaching towards success, it is clear that I am aim for the happiness that Aristotle portrays. I agree with Aristotle’s ideas that while I do not for certain what happiness is, I will eventually find my way to understanding and…show more content… While I do not necessarily know what is good for other human beings, I do believe that I know what is best for myself. I trust that I can tell my good actions from bad actions, and that I know when an action will promote my overall happiness as opposed to ones that will degrade my chances of happiness. Like Aristotle I believe that happiness is the chief goal that everyone pursues in life. In Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle not only states that happiness is the chief good, but that “it is something final and self-sufficient, and is the end of an action” (331). This essentially summarizes Aristotle’s entire argument and conception of happiness, along with my own belief; one can only achieve happiness through good actions, and happiness is a definitive and final