Aristotle’s definition of virtue is different from what people define it today. According to Aristotle, a virtuous life is the kind of life characterized by avoiding excesses and extremes of anything in life. He mentions some virtuous traits in th...Read More
~Posted on
Feb 2019
Aristotle’s definition of virtue is
different from what people define it today. According to Aristotle, a virtuous
life is the kind of life characterized by avoiding excesses and extremes of anything
in life. He mentions some virtuous traits in the Nicomachean Ethics, which
include courage, friendliness, liberality, honor and a few others. Aristotle
using the extremes argument suggests that for example if one is extremely
courageous it might lead to recklessness and if one is the opposite, it might
be cowardice. Therefore, one must maintain a limit not to go below or beyond
the needed amount and with the balance, comes a satisfaction which can only be
interpreted as someone being happy. In my view, Aristotle’s argument about
happiness is right.
When doing any activity, it is only fun
when it’s not in excess. For example, one might have a hobby in watching
movies, the fun of watching is there when you watch them once in a while. But
what happens if you watch consistently? If one spends most of their time
watching, it can lead to addiction and in a way cause regrets to the person
because they cannot stop. The same thing can be said about alcohol. Drinking
alcohol is only fun when one gets to drink once in a while. However, if one
partakes alcohol continuously, it could lead to addiction or better yet damage
to vital organs in the body. People who
obtain a balance of life, for example, divide their hours according to working,
family time and alone time. They live more satisfying lives which in other
words means happiness. Most people believe that going after something like
getting a lot of money will make them happy while as those with money just want
to slow down and enjoy their lives. People might be confused about the meaning
of happiness, but in the midst of all the confusion they end up realizing that
happiness is just a balance of everything in their lives. Not so many people
know Aristotle’s view, but it is the only valid explanation of what happiness
is.