The Role Of Happiness . “Happiness Is The Meaning And The

The Role of Happiness â€Å"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence† (Aristotle). In ethics, we study the place of morality in a social construct, where happiness is the core of ethical concern. Happiness for the individual, happiness for the majority, happiness for nature. What is the key to a happy life? Aristotle believes the key is eudaimonia, or a state of having a good soul or being in a contented state of being healthy, happy, and prosperous. Eudaimonia is often used to refer to the right actions that result in the well-being of the individual. Kant however opposes Aristotle’s view on happiness in morality, stating â€Å"morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but†¦show more content†¦Aristotle’s ethics stem from the teachings of his mentor Plato, as he learned from Socrates. The three agree on similar aspects of eudaimonia in morality but Aristotle’s work was more expansive. Starting with Socrates, he believed that all humans want eudaimonia more than anything else in life. He is the first known figure in the west to argue that happiness is obtainable through human effort. His viewpoint is more radical than that of Aristotle, as he believes that virtue is both necessary and sufficient, and that virtues guarantee a happy life. â€Å"Everything the soul endeavors or endures under the guidance of wisdom ends in happiness† (Socrates). In the Apology Socrates presents his disagreement with the individuals who think a eudemon life is the life of honor or pleasure. He chastises the Athenians for caring more about wealth and honor than the state of their souls. Socrates goes on to explain that by caring for their soul they should care for their virtue, as virtues are just states of the soul. Socrates also radically claims that life is not worth living if the soul is ruined by transgression, or a person who is n virtuous cannot be happy. Plato , Aristotle’s teacher focuses on the virtue of justice as necessary for eudaimonia. A just person is someone who’s soul is methodical and harmonic, with all the parts to benefit the individual, while and unjust soul, without virtues, isShow MoreRelatedSuffering Is A Universal Phenomenon That Nobody Can Escape1750 Words   |  7 Pagesconversation of happiness because happiness and suffering are perceived to be polar opposite states of being. (Ricard 35). Scholars would argue that one is simply the absence of the other. Stoic philosophers emphasize the importance of enduring suffering, suggesting that suffering does not impact happiness outside of being an obstacle. 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