Many philosophers maintain looking for what are right, Meanwhile Aristotle searches for what is virtue. In, "Virtue Ethics," Aristotle argues, "Virtue is a mean state between the extremes, both of which are vices either excess or deviancy," (73). All human activities aim at some end that we consider good. Most activities are a means to a higher end. The highest human good, then, is that activity that is an end in itself. That good is happiness. I agree with Aristotle's teachings to attain happiness, because happiness is the ultimate purpose for man in life. Aristotle's way to happiness is a very good guideline to follow for people to bring happiness in their life. In this paper I am going to discuss why pleasure can't amount to happiness alone, what Aristotle says we need to attain happiness, and my thoughts on happiness and why I agree with Aristotle.
Happiness depends on living in accordance with appropriate virtues. Virtue is a mood rather than an activity. That is, a virtuous person is naturally disposed to behave in the right ways and for the right reasons, and to feel pleasure in behaving rightly. As Aristotle states, "Virtue is a mean state between the extremes, both of which are vices either excess or deviancy," (73). This mean varies from person to person, so there are no hard and fast rules as to how best to avoid vice. For my first point, pleasure can't amount to happiness alone because pleasure isn't the goal of life according to Aristotle. According to Aristotle, "Aristotle is concerned with action, not as being right or good in itself, but as it is conductive to human good," (72). The goal of life is to strive for happiness. While striving for happiness, pleasure is just something that is included while attaining happiness. I totally agree with Aristotle because for me personally, if I just aim for pleasure for myself, my actions may bring misfortune upon others, for example eating certain types of foods that are very dangerous for people to get, like from the reality show, "The Deadliest Catch.
