Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics begins by defining happiness as the highest good. This is because happiness is what every human person seeks, and we can only achieve it through virtue. The question then becomes how do we acquire virtue?
Philosopher argues that happiness is acquired by leading a virtuous life in accordance with reason. This entails being prudent, just, courageous, and temperate. These virtues are acquired through habituation, which Aristotle calls “practical wisdom.” Practical wisdom involves knowing how to use one’s reason in everyday situations in order to act virtuously.
Happiness is achieved when one has developed these habits to the point where they become second nature. When this occurs, one isn’t acting out of fear of punishment or desire for reward, but rather because acting virtuously is its own reward (and vice versa). In this way, acting virtuously becomes natural and easy for us because it isn’t something we have to force ourselves to do; it comes naturally from within ourselves.
Aristotle defines happiness as “an activity of the soul expressing virtue” (Nicomachean Ethics 1099a). Happiness is thus an end-in-itself because it is something we choose for its own sake. Aristotle then argues that “external goods” such as health, wealth, good looks, friends, etc., are necessary conditions for happiness but not sufficient conditions. If we pursue these things because they are good rather than because they make us happy then we will be happy. If we pursue them because they make us happy then we will not be happy because our goal is only an apparent good.
