1. What, according to Aristotle, is the relationship between happiness and virtue?
Working to possess and exercise virtue is essential to achieve the highest degree of happiness. Virtuousness is a unique element of happiness in the sense that we can work to control it through our own habituation. This can be compared to the plethora of components that our disposition creates a predetermined outcome for, including the external and physical goods we desire. Aristotle expands on this idea, stating that when happiness, “...comes as a result of virtue and some process of learning or training, [it is] among the most god-like things; for that which is the prize and end of virtue seems to be the best thing in the world, and something godlike and blessed” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 947). …show more content…
Since the power to speak or act as one wishes without constraint is a large component of freedom, an individuals’ ability to share their ideas gives them the opportunity to constitute new laws, and make changes to the community as a whole. With this thinking, we can determine that the practice of citizenship, by default, gives the practice of choice. Aristotle states that, “…we feel anger and fear without choice, but the virtues are modes of choice or involve choice” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 957). Developing citizenship and striving to gain knowledge in order to participate in political affairs reduces the feelings of helplessness and irritation that often accompany allowing others to be in charge of affairs that may have an effect on oneself. Rather than relying too heavily on policymakers to have ones’ best interests in mind, it is the responsibility of the citizens to have an understanding in matters that may create an impact. Individuals should exercise their freedom as a citizen to ensure that their voices are being heard, and the things that matter to them are being
Working to possess and exercise virtue is essential to achieve the highest degree of happiness. Virtuousness is a unique element of happiness in the sense that we can work to control it through our own habituation. This can be compared to the plethora of components that our disposition creates a predetermined outcome for, including the external and physical goods we desire. Aristotle expands on this idea, stating that when happiness, “...comes as a result of virtue and some process of learning or training, [it is] among the most god-like things; for that which is the prize and end of virtue seems to be the best thing in the world, and something godlike and blessed” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 947). …show more content…
Since the power to speak or act as one wishes without constraint is a large component of freedom, an individuals’ ability to share their ideas gives them the opportunity to constitute new laws, and make changes to the community as a whole. With this thinking, we can determine that the practice of citizenship, by default, gives the practice of choice. Aristotle states that, “…we feel anger and fear without choice, but the virtues are modes of choice or involve choice” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 957). Developing citizenship and striving to gain knowledge in order to participate in political affairs reduces the feelings of helplessness and irritation that often accompany allowing others to be in charge of affairs that may have an effect on oneself. Rather than relying too heavily on policymakers to have ones’ best interests in mind, it is the responsibility of the citizens to have an understanding in matters that may create an impact. Individuals should exercise their freedom as a citizen to ensure that their voices are being heard, and the things that matter to them are being