Happiness in Nicomachean Ethics and Living the Rule of St. Benedict Tod

Essay written by Elizabeth SippelFrom pursuing pleasure to avoiding pain, look seems to ultimately beabout achieving happiness. However, how to define and obtainhappiness has and continues to be a widely debated issue. InNicomachean Ethics, Aristotle gives his view on happiness. According toAristotle, dissimilar types of people pursue different finish ups. The many, orordinary people, pursue pleasure, whereas politicians look to glory. However,people of superior refinement seek happiness. Happiness is the highestgoal because it is an end desired entirely for its own sake, and it is selfsufficient. In order to define happiness, the responsibility of man must be considered.Aristotle says that what makes man unique is his ability to reason. hencereason must be connected to happiness in whatever way. Aristotle furtherargues that virtue is also tied to happiness. Virtue can be categorized aseither intellectual or virtuous. Intellectual virtue, as the name suggests,corresponds to t he reasoning self. Moral virtue, on the other hand,corresponds to the desiring self. Thus moral vi...