Question

What is the one thing, for Aristotle, which the human being seeks most for its own sake than for the sake of anything else? Why cannot money, pleasurable goods, or fame be the highest goods? What, in fact, is a virtuous person, for Aristotle? That is, what are some of the elements that go into a virtuous life? How does he characterize a person who has practical wisdom?

Answer 1

Answer- Aristotle was a famous ancient Greek philospher who believed in a well lived happy life based on philosphy. According to him happiness is final end of human life. The human beings seek happiness most for its own sake than for the sake of anything else.

Money, pleasurable goods or fame can not be the highest goods to live a life because all these things do not guarantee happiness for a long term. The real happiness is found when a person performs according to his soul. Some people think that money and fame can give them happiness but this happiness is short lived. With the help of money, one can purchase all the goods of his needs but not the true happiness. Fame also can not make you happy if you do not feel that happiness from inside. Aristotle described three types of happiness- External happiness, happiness of the soul and of the body.

A person is really happy in his life only when his happiness is connected from his soul and he feels it from inside. So these external things can not give true happiness to anyone. For Aristotle, a virtuous person is the one who performs noble actions, has pleasant personality and is happy from his soul. A virtuous person does not believe in external happiness. There are other elements also that go to a virtuous life. A virtuous person is always very generous and honest. He lives a proper and successful life that is filled with happiness but not the happiness gained from external things. A virtuous person is very courageous to deal with the difficult situations. He is always truthful and friendly during his social conversations.

According to Aristotle, following are the main characteristics of a person who have practical wisdom-

• A person with practical wisdom has a knowledge about right and wrong, good or bad.
• A person with practical wisdom knows how to deal with a particular situation patiently.
• He has the quality to do an action consciously and is able to justify it.