Aristotle’s Definition Of Happiness
by Stanley Bronstein on January 12, 2010Meditation for Tuesday – January 12, 2010
ARISTOTLE’S DEFINITION OF HAPPINESS
The Exercise Of Vital Powers,
Along Lines Of Excellence,
In A Life Affording Them Scope.
WHO WAS ARISTOTLE?
From Wikipedia:
Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) was a Greek philosopher, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great.
His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology.
Together with Plato and Socrates (Plato’s teacher), Aristotle is one of the most important founding figures in Western philosophy.
Aristotle’s writings constitute a first at creating a comprehensive system of Western philosophy, encompassing morality and aesthetics, logic and science, politics and metaphysics.
THAT’S QUITE AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME
Quite simply, Aristotle is one of my heroes. While I obviously don’t agree with everything he says, he definitely gives me lots of things to think about.
One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately since listening to a series of lectures on Aristotle is the concept of Eudaimonia. My last two meditations have expanded upon the subject.
These posts are:
Seek Your Own Type Of Happiness
For those who may not have read those posts, Eudaimonia is a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous.
I’VE BEEN GOING THROUGH MY NOTES
I’ve been going through my notes and reading more as I attempt to “gain a better understanding” of the concept of Eudaimonia.
One of the things I uncovered in my notes was Aristotle’s definition of happiness:
The Exercise Of Vital Powers, Along Lines Of Excellence, In A Life Affording Them Scope.
That’s it !!! Right there in 15 short words. That’s the definition of Eudaimonia.
The exercise of vital powers, along lines of excellence, in a life affording them scope!!!
I’M GOING TO EXPAND ON THIS CONCEPT MORE TOMORROW
In the meantime, I want you to reflect upon this concept yourself.
What are vital powers?
What are lines of excellence?
What is a life affording them scope?
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Until next time, take care.
Stanley F. BronsteinHave you checked out my website that profiles the benefits of walking? iWarriorWalk.com
January 13th, 2010 at 1:24 am
What can I say? That’s Aristotle! Recently I had my own shot at defining happiness, which aims to be more “scientific” and “objective” (as much as this is possible for a subjective feeling such as happiness):
“A person can be considered to have experienced a “happy” moment if the person chooses to re-live it as an end in itself if offered at no cost.”
For the detailed derivation of this conclusion please have a look at What is happiness? ; What do you think about this definition?
Thank you,
Nick
January 14th, 2010 at 4:31 am
I think it’s an interesting definition. However, I can think of many moments I would voluntarily choose to relive that did NOT make me happy.
For example, my mother died when I was 8 years old. I would gladly relive the experience of her death just so I could pick up many of the details I missed from the experience since I was so young at the time.
The experience would probably NOT make me happy, but I would voluntarily relive it.
Personally, I believe a subjective definition of happiness is best, but there is nothing wrong with trying to come up with an objective one.
Stanley Bronstein
May 17th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
“Finding happiness is like finding yourself. You don’t find happiness, you make happiness. You choose happiness. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life over the long run.” – David Leonhardt 2009
“Happiness is the meaning of life. You are the creator of your own happiness of which the meaning of is also to love, help and inspire others”- Stevie Spina Ripszam 2010