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Nicomachean Ethics: Aristotle's Definition Of Good

1400 Words6 Pages

Nicomachean ethics refers to a logical analysis of the essence of good life for humans. In the beginning, Aristotle starts his work by claiming the existence of some ultimate good where in the end, every human being is aiming to achieve. The essential characteristics of the ultimate good include completeness, finality, self-sufficiency, and continuity. This good, which every person’s actions strive to achieve, is happiness (referred to as “eudemonia” in Greek). This could also be translated to being blessed or living well, which is not a fixed state but a form of activity.
The study of good is considered as a political science because politics inclines itself in acquiring the highest ends for the lives of people. Also it is not considered …show more content…

His account is well-explained in Nicomachean Ethics. In his view, eudemonia involves activity and exhibiting virtue according to reason. Also, Aristotle adds that, ”eudemonia is a process and not a state” (1176b5) He derives this belief from his essentialist human nature understanding from the perspective that reason is exclusive to mankind, and their perfect work is exercising reason. Primarily, eudemonia (happiness) is attained by properly developing ones’ the greatest and most human abilities because by nature, we are rational beings. Hence, happiness for a human being is achieving excellence in …show more content…

These refer to those people who generally portray excellence in their life, for instance, in thought and character. The latter is usually translated as a moral virtue or excellence. This refers to the qualities’ combination which exhibits an individual as more admirable than they are. In Nicomachean Ethics, he states that "Excellence of character is a state concerned with choice, lying in a mean relative to us, this being determined by reason and in the way in which the man of practical wisdom would determine it. Now it is a mean between two vices, that which depends on excess and that which rest on defect”. When someone has a good character, they are much admired by everyone because of their excellence, which is a result of their actions which comprise the higher good –

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