Aristotle's Philosophy and Eudaimonia

Study Notes

Aristotle, a prominent ancient Greek philosopher (384-322 BCE), explored various philosophical topics, including natural philosophy, logic, and political theory.
He sought to define "the good" and believed all human activities aimed at achieving the same good.
His work influenced the "Nichomachean Ethics," a collection of ten books based on Aristotle's lectures, which explores how individuals achieve eudaimonia (flourishing happiness).

Eudaimonia, also known as the "flourishing of happiness," is considered the ultimate goal of human experience.
It represents a state of fulfillment achieved through "living well and doing well."
The term translates to "good spirit" (eu = good, daimon = spirit).

Also known as "areté" in Greek, virtue refers to habits or qualities that guide our actions towards reason and ultimately lead to eudaimonia.
It is achieved through constant practice of the good, regardless of circumstances.
Moral virtue focuses on qualities of character, such as courage, justice, and temperance.
Intellectual virtue emphasizes qualities of a good thinker or learner, including curiosity, wonder, open-mindedness, grit, and intellectual perseverance.

Also known as the "Golden Mean," this doctrine emphasizes finding the middle point between two extremes.
It suggests the desirable middle between excess and deficiency is key to achieving virtue.

The capacity for rational thought plays a crucial role in achieving eudaimonia.
"Phronesis" or practical wisdom involves making the right decisions at the right time for the right reasons.

Aristotle emphasized the social nature of humans.
He highlighted the role of the "polis" (city-state) as the center of public life.
A good life is intertwined with active participation in civil affairs and human activities.

The good life involves possessing real goods that correspond to our natural needs.
These needs are universal and shared by all humans.
Goods for us can be categorized as:
Bodily goods (health, vitality, vigor, pleasure).
External goods (wealth, food, drink, clothing, shelter, sleep).
Goods of the soul (love, friendship, knowledge, skill, honor).

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill proposed the Greatest Happiness Principle, which states that the right action maximizes happiness for the greatest number of people.
This principle emphasizes considering the consequences of actions.

Materialism (Democritus & Leucipus)
Believes the world is composed of tiny, indivisible units called "atomos" or seeds.
Human flourishing is achieved through the material world.
Hedonism (Epicurus)
Places pleasure as the ultimate goal of life.
Seeks to obtain and indulge in pleasure, viewing life as limited.
Stoicism (Epicurus)
Emphasizes living in accordance with nature and reason.
Focuses on controlling what is within our power and accepting what is outside our control.