Aristotle's conception of happiness and virtue ethics

Aristotle's Views On Happiness And Virtue

Happiness as the Virtuous Rational Activity

The happiness that Aristotle spoke of is not the same as the happiness that most of us would think of today. The ancient Greeks had a very different perspective on what constitutes happiness. Aristotle spoke about achieving eudemonia, which is roughly translated into happiness. Eudemonia is not an emotional state; it is more about being all that you can, fulfilling your potential. The belief was that living in a way that enables one to reach their full potential allows one to bloom or flourish and to display the best version of self possible. True happiness can therefore be attained only through the cultivation of the virtues that make a human life complete.

Virtue as the Golden Mean

Aristotle describes virtue as a "hexis," a tendency or disposition induced by our habits to have appropriate feelings. Defective states are "hexeis," tendencies to have inappropriate feelings. Every ethical virtue is a condition intermediate between two other states, one involving excess and the other deficiency. The mean is about the proper emotional response to situations, rather than the proper actions. Aristotle believed that virtue came from character. It is the character that makes us do the good deeds that are virtuous, not the deeds themselves. Even if you do manage to find the mean, it's not enough just to follow it. You can do good deeds but unless you have a good character yourself, Aristotle says the actions won't be truly virtuous. You have to keep doing the right thing so that your character can become good, through training, and only then will your good deeds actually be good.

Just as habits of indulgence always stand opposed to habits of abstinence, so too does every principle of action have its opposite principle. Good habituation ensures that we are not swept away by our strongest impulses, and the exercise of intelligence ensures that we will see two worthy sides to every question about action.