Aristotle's Ethics: Virtue, Reason, and True Happiness

Aristotelian Ethics: The Pursuit of Happiness

Aristotelian ethics pursues an ultimate end: the highest good. For Aristotle, the supreme goal is happiness (eudaimonia).

The Path to Human Flourishing

The path to the good for any being is to fully realize its inherent nature or function. Therefore, for human beings, this good—this happiness—is achieved by fully realizing their unique function or essence: being completely rational. However, because this rational character is central, achieving this end depends on our freedom and will.

Reason, Balance, and the Contemplative Life

This rational pursuit also encompasses various goods for a well-rounded life. While these goods are sought in pursuit of happiness, to truly lead us to it, they must be ordered and balanced. Achieving this balance necessitates the consistent application of reason in our lives, leading to what Aristotle called a contemplative life.

Virtues: Habits for a Good Life

However, the contemplative life does not emerge spontaneously; it requires consistent exercise through what Aristotle termed habits, which are the virtues.

These virtues are distinguished into two main types:

• Intellectual (Dianoetic) Virtues: These operate on reason (e.g., wisdom, prudence).
• Practical (Ethical) Virtues: These govern the irrational aspects, such as passions (e.g., fortitude, justice).

These virtues aim to achieve the 'golden mean' or midpoint in our habits, particularly those influenced by passions. This harmony fosters human flourishing and prosperity.

Achieving these virtues demands sustained and voluntary effort. The 'mean' is not universal; it varies depending on the individual and their specific circumstances.

Happiness: An End in Itself

Thus, happiness is an end in itself, not merely a means to other 'goods' like wealth, fame, or pleasure. It is achieved through a virtuous and balanced life.

The Polis: Community for Happiness

To fully realize this theoretical ideal of life and achieve happiness, the existence of a supportive social or political community is essential. Because of this, politics and Aristotle's ethics are inextricably linked.

This community is the polis (city-state), which Aristotle considered a natural entity. Like any natural being, the polis has an ultimate purpose: to enable its citizens to achieve happiness by living a life of virtue, governed by reason.

Limitations of the Aristotelian Ideal

However, this ideal state and the pursuit of happiness were intended only for 'equal citizens,' thereby excluding women, slaves, craftsmen, and farmers. Only warriors, priests, and judges were considered capable of achieving this highest form of happiness.

Furthermore, these privileged groups were free from manual labor, allowing them to dedicate themselves to intellectual pursuits and civic duties. Thus, Aristotle justified slavery as a necessary institution for the functioning of the polis. Consequently, the polis effectively served the good of a select few—a particular ruling class. Therefore, Aristotle defended aristocracy as the best possible system of government.