Dr. Sally Parker Ryan
Ethics 2306
12/03/2013
The good life, Eudaimonia.
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher in BCE(before Christ era), a student of Plato’s academy Aristotle grew up to be one of the greatest thinkers of the time, his writings included topics on physics, logic, linguistics, politics, ethics and many more in which he underlines the act of human’s need for happiness.
Eudaimonia stands for happiness in Greek. The concept of eudaimonia is one central to Aristotle 's Nicomachean Ethics and reflects Aristotle 's belief that there exists one ultimate end to which all other ends are insubordinate and at which all actions are aimed at achieving. It is therefore seen by some as a 'prize ' of human endeavor as a result of complete virtue and a complete life. Aristotle argues that the highest good for human beings is happiness. He insists that every action performed by humans is to pursue happiness. Aristotle also argues that human action is always aimed at some end or good. This "good" may not be viewed as a good action or any good by others, but for the doer of the action ("good"), the activity will be perceived as good and that it will bring a favorable outcome.
Every act and every inquiry, and similarly every action or pursuit, is thought to aim at some good, and for this reason the good has rightly declared to be that at which all things aim ' (Aristotle, The Nicomachaen Ethics)
Eudiamonia is a life of rational activity, informed with virtue, which is pursued continually. Our ability to achieve eudaimonia depends on us having some power or access to resources in the world. People without power never reach their moral potential. Friendship is necessary to eudaimonia and it is an extension of self-esteem. By virtue of being rational animals we naturally live by a plan or rule. But just as the good life is an activity of reason in relation with excellence, eudaimonia depends on having the right rule or plan. The right rule or plan
Cited: Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle