In this article, we deal with one of the most prominent philosophers of all time, Aristotle (384-322. B.C.E.), who, despite having lived for more than 2400 years ago, remains one of the most greatest thinkers, and his work represent an extremely valuable heritage that human civilization has given us.
It is difficult to say which area of science and life he did not explore and analyze. Nowadays we strive to produce experts for specialized expertise in the certain field of science. In contrast to contemporary educational tendencies, Aristotle, has achieved remarkable success in numerous scientific disciplines. He was a broad-minded scholar and a person of great intelligence and education. As an example, we can mention his interest and research in the field of mathematics, physics, biology, logic, astronomy, rhetoric, music, literature, art, philosophy, theology, etc. [1] He founded in the fourth century B.C. E. the Lyceum school in Athens where he taught his students who were primarily young men. There is no doubt that Aristotle was a fascinating person and that his work is still relevant for reflection, discussion, education and science.
Aristotle was not only great educator, but also a pedagogue. King Philip II of Macedonia entrusted his son Alexander (who later become Alexander the Great) to Aristotle, who was assigned as his tutor. Alexander the Great would later become the first ruler of the largest empire of the ancient world - from Greece to northwestern India. Alexander the Great and Aristotle remained in contact, even when Alexander ascended to the throne and started his military campaign. [2]
After this brief introduction of Aristotle’s great achievements, we move to our next point. Precisely, we are interested in one domain of Aristotle’s philosophical inquiry: the nature of human happiness. We ask how Aristotle interpreted happiness and examine how a person should live to become happy.
How to Become Happy?
How to become happy is a theme which was discussed among Ancient Greeks. Every history of happiness should begin from Greek’s theory of happiness. [3] Influential Greek thinkers aim to answer what happiness is and how a person can attain it.
Aristotle discusses the concept of happiness in a work which he dedicates to his son Nicomachus - Nicomachean Ethics. It is regarded as the most well-known Aristotle's work on ethics. As Gerard J. Hughes points out, it “... is one of the most important and central texts in the history of Western philosophy. It lies at the heart of contemporary moral theory and is essential to understanding the history of ethics.ˮ [4]
Nicomachean Ethics is a collection of ten books based on Aristotle's lectures at the Lyceum. [5] Inside it, a reader can find Aristotle's reflection on how to live a good life and how to accomplish happiness. Happiness is for him the final and the most perfect goal of human’s life.
Aristotle states that certain factors contribute to one’s happiness and fulfillment, such as health, wealth, good reputation, friends. He also adds that a person can be healthy and rich and yet unhappy. Aristotle asks how a person can achieve stability and true happiness? The answer he founds in the virtues. According to Aristotle, a person can only be truly happy if he or she lives in harmony with the virtues, if a person is a lover of virtues and if he or she understands their intrinsic worth and practices them.
Greek word for happiness is translated as eudaimonia, which means “the state of having a good indwelling spirit, a good genius”; and “happiness.”[6] For Aristotle, happiness is more than simple good mood, state of mind, feeling, or a pleasure, rather, it is “activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.ˮ [7]
Aristotle, alongside Socrates and Plato, assert that there is a connection between living a virtuous life and being a happy person. Thus, if a person wants to be happy, he or she, cannot accomplish that goal without exercising virtues and developing moral character.
Virtues are character traits worthy to possess and enable a person to live a good and flourishing life, while character is a central human excellence [8] which enables a moral agent to do good, be reliable and morally strong person. [9]
In his book Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle divides virtues into moral and intellectual. Some examples of moral virtues are justice, courage, friendliness and truthfulness, while intellectual virtues are, for instance, judgement and practical wisdom.[ 10] Aristotle states that an individual is not born with virtues, but that human nature enables a person to cultivate them. [11]
In early childhood it is important for children to have educators and tutors who possess not only developed intellectuals' capacities and skills, but who are also good moral exemplars. Children need outstanding educators who cultivate and exercise intellectual and moral virtues. Children should follow their positive example, especially in early childhood.
As children become more mature, it is necessary to advance their understanding of virtues, and why one ought to practice them. Aristotle emphasizes that virtues are not passive dispositions, but they enable concrete action. To attain a certain virtue, a lot of practice and exercise is required. A person cannot become, for instance, courageous if he or she does not oppose fear and decides for the brave decisions and brave acts on a daily basis. Thus, in order to become a virtuous person, one has to practice virtuous acts through various occasions. Good moral models and mentors are important for a child’s moral development, but later on, an adult person is responsible for one’s own character, for his or her decisions and actions and what kind of persons he or she becomes. [12]
To conclude, Aristotle stresses that every pursuit of happiness should primarily involve the pursuit of virtues. Without virtues, such as prudence, justice, courage and temperance, a person cannot live happy and flourishing life. Therefore, if one wants to become happy, he or she has to commit him/herself to good and wise decisions, good and wise actions and continuously practice virtues.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (New York: Cambridge University Press 2004).
[2] Joshua J. Mark, "Alexander the Great," in Ancient History Encyclopedia, available at https://www.britannica.com/topic/eudaemonism#ref273308 [accessed March 13 2018].
[3] Nicholas White, A Brief History of Happiness (Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 2007).
[4] Gerard J. Hughes, Aristotle on Ethics (London: Routledge Philosophy GuideBook, 2001), i.
[5] The Lyceum was Aristotle's school which he established in Athens, 334 B.C.E.
[6] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, ''Eudaemonism,'' in Encyclopaedia Britannica, available at https://www.britannica.com/topic/eudaemonism#ref273308 [accessed March 9 2018].
[7] Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, 1098a13.
[8] See David Carr, Educating the Virtues (London & New York: Routledge, 1991); David Carr and Jan Steutel, Virtue Ethics and Moral Education (London: Taylor & Francis, 1999).
[9] Stanley Hauerwas, Character and the Christian Life: A Study in Theological Ethics (San Antonio, TX: University of Notre Dame Press, 1994), 14-15.
[10] Oskari Kuusela, Key Terms in Ethics (London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2011), 114.
[11] Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: Translation, Introduction and Commentary, eds. Sarah Broadie and Christopher Rowe (New York: Oxford University Press, 2002).
[12] Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics: Translation, Introduction and Commentary, 130-131.