Aristotle's Eudaemonism: Defining Happiness and the Supreme Good

Aristotle and Teleological Ethics (Eudaemonism)

Aristotle (384–322 BC) is the main representative of teleological ethics. According to this philosopher, all human activities seek to achieve a particular, immediate good that is also a means to a higher, better end. The ultimate goal toward which all our actions are directed, and the greatest good to which humans can aspire, is the pursuit of happiness.

The Concept of Eudaemonism

In Greek, this happiness is called eudaimonia, which is why Aristotelian ethics is also known as eudaemonism.

Happiness as the Supreme Good

If happiness is the end aimed at by the individual, this means it must be a supreme good—a good thing always and without exception. Moreover, as the ultimate end, happiness must have intrinsic value and not depend on external factors.

Aristotle's Critique of Common Views on Happiness

Aristotle examines the prevailing opinions of his time—and, interestingly, also of our own—regarding happiness. He criticizes the identification of happiness with wealth, pleasure, honor, and glory:

• Wealth: If the greatest good is wealth, the good life is devoted to business. However, Aristotle argues that money is merely a means to other things, not an end in itself. Therefore, it cannot be the greatest good to which humanity aspires.
• Pleasure: If we identify happiness with pleasure, the good life is the voluptuous life. Aristotle argues that this identification is flawed because some pleasures are not good, and some goods are not pleasant. For example, surgery is a good, but it does not inherently seek pleasure.
• Honor, Fame, and Glory: Identifying happiness with honor, fame, and glory is also problematic. Fame depends more on the giver than the recipient, and true happiness cannot depend on external elements.

Virtue and the Characteristics of a Happy Life

For Aristotle, none of the common solutions is satisfactory; instead, happiness is achieved by living a virtuous life. The concept of virtue (*arête*) or excellence is central to Aristotelian ethics. Regarding happiness, Aristotle adds two essential characteristics that define a truly happy life:

• Duration: Happiness cannot be transient or short-lived; it must encompass the entire life, because, as Aristotle famously stated, "one swallow does not a summer make, nor does one single day or short time make a man happy."
• Necessity of External Goods: While it is a mistake to equate happiness solely with pleasure, material goods, or honor, Aristotle acknowledges that one cannot be truly happy without them. To be happy, having pleasures, money, and honors is necessary, though not sufficient.