1. By claiming happiness is “the final end,” Aristotle means that it is an end in itself rather than a means to another end. According to Aristotle, happiness is the only end or good that we desire for its own sake, and it is for the sake of happiness that we desire all other ends or goods. For example, one pursues everything (pleasure, knowledge, honour) for its own sake and for the sake of happiness. For Aristotle, happiness is an activity of the human soul in accordance with excellence and virtue, and it is manifested over an entire lifetime. Not only that, happiness as an ‘end’ means that it is an activity that cannot be exercised properly in the absence of certain external and internal goods (such as friends, money, and health) and an
