Darkthorn’s Blog

What characterised a ‘good life’ as suggested by Aristotle?

Aristotle claims that in order for everyone to have a good life, the individual should be cared for first, and then the majority.

Aristotle recognizes that for many people, happiness is entirely tangible, simply pleasure, money or social standing and often depends on their current situation – if they are poor, happiness can be read as money (Thomson Ed., 1953). However he disagrees, as to the nature of the pursuit of true happiness. For Aristotle, pleasure, wealth, honour and virtue do not represent happiness individually, but can be used in combination to gain happiness.

A happy person displays both intellectual and moral virtue in action and has their materialistic needs (such as goods and patronage) met, creating a complete life(Thomson Ed., 1953). Happiness can be defined as the end product of all well informed acts, and it is something which is final and self-sufficient(Thomson Ed., 1953).

Aristotle also explores the relationship between happiness and pleasure, trying to avoid the two extremes (altogether good or altogether base). He concludes that living the ‘good life’ involves being motivated by desire and that therefore pleasure follows a successful activity. Thus amusement is necessary, but it is only a means of productive activity rather than an end(Thomson Ed., 1953).

References
Thomson (Ed.). (1953). Aristotle: Ethics. Penguin Books: Whitefriars Press.

How relevant is Aristotle’s ‘good life’ in today’s society?

In today’s society, people are highly interested in the pursuit of happiness. Many people proclaim that by changing their jobs or their way of life, as in the popular ‘sea change’, they could become happy overnight. However, Aristotle explored this more carefully – happiness is dependent on many factors.

Aristotle believed that money did have an impact on the happiness of a person, insofar as fulfilling their basic needs. Some people in Aristotle’s time placed too much importance on wealth and this still holds true in our society of materialism. The media hype connected with new products, and the consensus that the more expensive product is better, illustrates that the perceived value of money in producing happiness still applies.

At present, Aristotle’s most important value – virtue – is often ignored. People will never find happiness because this first basic principle has not been fulfilled. The scandals of celebrities are in the spotlight, often the preferred method of regaining publicity. No wonder hardly any of those famous relationships last! While ordinary people are preoccupied with the publicity of bad exemplars they are unable to follow their own paths of virtue.

As Aristotle taught, the idea that pleasure is an end in itself is misleading. It actually distracts many people from the pursuit of happiness. Escapism (drugs and alcohol) prevents many from approaching the good life. Nevertheless the hippies of the 1970’s got something right, because they realized that we need to embrace spirituality. Today meditation is practiced to learn to let go (not to ignore) problems and so achieve enlightenment. There is also a movement towards healthy living and learning, which all contributes to the balanced life in which Aristotle believed.

What does Prof. Martin Seligman have to say about happiness in the modern context of Positive Psychology?

The central objective of positive psychology is to understand and facilitate happiness and subjective well being (Seligman, 2002), where happiness refers to both positive feelings and positive states. Scientifically, positive psychology focuses on understanding happiness, whilst the related clinical studies attempt to enhance subjective well-being and happiness. (Alan Carr, 2004)

Seligman (2002) asserts that happiness is not the result of inheritance or luck, but of striving. He argues that Positive Psychology can exploit this fact by focusing on character strengths rather than weaknesses. Happiness can be produced in individuals by using the traits they already possess – originality, humour and optimism to name a few. The people who learn to invoke these important attributes will be protected from negative emotions and so feel happier (Seligman, 2002). Seligman (2002) concludes that by focussing on our positive emotions, we are able to enjoy heightened levels of contentment, gratification and meaning and improve the world around us.

References

Seligman, M.E.P. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. New York: Free Press/Simon and Schuster.