Many people have heard the common cliché that “happiness means different things for different people” and they take it for face value to be true. On the other hand, Plato and Aristotle would argue that it is false; there is by nature one type of person and therefore one type of happiness because happiness is dependent upon three main elements: reason, excellence, and friendship. In Plato’s Republic, Socrates says “it seems to me that there is one kind of virtue” (445c). These three elements together with moral virtue provide a simple equation for true happiness that can be used to influence decisions in one’s daily life.
Human beings are characterized by their ability to reason, something which is unique to humankind. Much like one could …show more content…
Moral virtue is defined by the actions one does according to right reason; it refers to doing things “at the right time, toward the right objects, toward the right people, for the right reason, and in the right manner” (1106b20-25). In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses the disadvantages of not living with excellence and that would be living at one of the extremes of the virtues. For example, if the virtue in question was generosity, then the excess of that virtue would be extravagance and the deficiency of the virtue would be stinginess (1119b25-30). Though the extravagant or stingy person may take pleasure in what they do, it will not make them happy. The generous man realizes that the purpose of property is to give the right amount at the right time and for the right reason. This display of moral virtue gives him fulfillment and leads to …show more content…
People tend to choose their friends as people who are similar to themselves, as Aristotle says “like attracts like” (1155a30-35). The pursuit of wisdom is something two friends do in common to improve one another, “friends enhance our ability to think and to act” (1155a15-20). You cannot have friendship without first having reason and excellence. Aristotle argues that “when friendship is based on character, it does last, […] because it is friendship for its own sake” (1164a10-15). Therefore, when one has a friendship with another who practices excellence and reason, that is the best kind of friend. True friendship is that which is noble, fulfilling, and most human, and consequently, it provides one with the most
Human beings are characterized by their ability to reason, something which is unique to humankind. Much like one could …show more content…
Moral virtue is defined by the actions one does according to right reason; it refers to doing things “at the right time, toward the right objects, toward the right people, for the right reason, and in the right manner” (1106b20-25). In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses the disadvantages of not living with excellence and that would be living at one of the extremes of the virtues. For example, if the virtue in question was generosity, then the excess of that virtue would be extravagance and the deficiency of the virtue would be stinginess (1119b25-30). Though the extravagant or stingy person may take pleasure in what they do, it will not make them happy. The generous man realizes that the purpose of property is to give the right amount at the right time and for the right reason. This display of moral virtue gives him fulfillment and leads to …show more content…
People tend to choose their friends as people who are similar to themselves, as Aristotle says “like attracts like” (1155a30-35). The pursuit of wisdom is something two friends do in common to improve one another, “friends enhance our ability to think and to act” (1155a15-20). You cannot have friendship without first having reason and excellence. Aristotle argues that “when friendship is based on character, it does last, […] because it is friendship for its own sake” (1164a10-15). Therefore, when one has a friendship with another who practices excellence and reason, that is the best kind of friend. True friendship is that which is noble, fulfilling, and most human, and consequently, it provides one with the most