Aristotle\'s Nichomachean Ethics Life Represents

Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics

Life represents the pursuit of happiness. One of the most significant minds within Western philosophy, Aristotle believed that Happiness is an ultimate end, meaning that we do not use Happiness to reach another end, and therefore what we all seek out Happiness. According to his Nicomachean Ethics, this acquisition then results in the satisfaction of the human mind; thus proving its significance as an end, "So then Happiness is manifestly something final and self-sufficient, being the end of all things which are and may be done," (Aristotle, 8). This means that all other goods, such as Virtue, Friendship, and Contemplation, serve as means to the final end. However, how each individual achieves that universal goal is specifically different. Within this quest for Happiness, men must be individually responsible for the virtue or dishonor of their own actions. When one rationalizes over a decision, it then becomes voluntary and subsequent to following praise or criticism. It is then this rational intellect which helps guide us to moral decisions; ultimately towards moderation which represents a high moral sense of avoiding both situational extremes.

Aristotle believed that there where many ways one could reach any particular end. Accordingly, he also believed there were several methods for seeking out Happiness, the ultimate end. Three in particular represent the quest to Happiness, "For there are three lines of life which stand out predominately to view, that just mentioned [Pleasure], and the life in society, and, thirdly, the life of contemplation," (Aristotle, 4). A life devoted to politics of the social world, and a life of contemplation both represent methods to Happiness -- the life of contemplation being the strongest. However, Pleasure also represents a way to a much briefer Happiness, not the true Happiness we all seek. Happiness through sensual Pleasure represents the most unstable method of reaching Happiness, "they are content with the life of sensual enjoyment," (Aristotle, 4). The foundations of a Pleasure-based quests will not stand against the higher moral ground of taking the path of a life of contemplation.

According to Aristotle, there are three levels of Friendship which can be attained by men. Friendships resulting through utility are the basest of all the levels of Friendship. In this case one or both parties need the other for utilitarian purposes. The basic friendship rests on the material needs of the individual partnership; thus leading it to be a lower form of Friendship which does not last. This Friendship lasts only the duration of the needs of the parties involved. The next level of Friendship rests on the concept of Pleasure for its structural basis. In this form on Friendship, again one or more of the parties stand to gain something from the relationship. This could consist of platonic pleasure or erotic pleasure. Because this, like Utilitarian Friendships, is based on superficial foundations, it does not stand the test of time. The final way to Friendship is through a true "goodness of character." Aristotle believed that all human beings have a capacity for goodness of character; yet it takes practice and effort to reach a respectable level of moral integrity. Friendships based on good character represent a friendship where nothing is needed by any party; the two remain friends simply because love the Friendship itself.