Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is an expression of Aristotle's view of what happiness is. Aristotle's "happiness" relates to the Greek word "eudaimonia", which refers to flourishing and living well. Aristotle believes that eudaimonia is the highest end, or telos, in life. Aristotle uses the word telos when he refers to an end or goal. He also believes that we, as humans, automatically aim for happiness. Book I of Nicomachean Ethics starts with, "Every sort of expert knowledge and every inquiry, and similarly every action and undertaking, seems to seek some good." (337) This statement refers to the fact that everybody naturally seeks an appropriate way to satisfy their desires. By satisfying our desires we achieve happiness. I will argue that Aristotle is correct in believing that happiness is relative to each individual.
In Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle does not tell us to live happy, successful lives but tells us what a flourishing life should consist of. Aristotle......
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