Eudaimonia

What is eudaimonia and how, according to Aristotle, is it to be achieved?

In this paper, I will start of discussing the true meaning and definition of eudaimonia according to Aristotle, as understood though the book Nichomachean Ethics. After I have defined the term, I will then go on stating how, according to Aristotle, one can achieve eudaimonia and live a happy life.

Eudaimonia is a Greek word that is commonly and vaguely translated as �happiness’. It consists of the word �eu’, which means good or well-being, and �daimon’ which means spirit and is used to mean one’s lot or fortune. Although the vague meaning of this word refers to a certain state of mind, eudaimonia rarely has such connotations, and the more proper definition of "human flourishing" is more correct and preferred as a translation. Eudaimonia has a much more objective meaning. To be eudaimonian is to be successful and to have what is most desirable by all, or to flourish. Eudaimonia is considered to be at the top of hierarchy, it is considered the ultimate and highest good for all human beings that can be reached. For example, if we are taking about the hierarchy of the National Hockey League, all players or teams want to win the Stanley Cup, therefore throughout the year the players will do all they can to try to obtain this goal. There is some disagreement about what sort of life is most flourishing. Some say it is a life full of pleasure, living a wealthy and healthy life, living a virtuous life, or living a life full of honor. Many people have debated the definition of this word and come up with their own theories.

Aristotle was a great Greek philosopher who was taught by Plato and taught Alexander the Great between 384 BC and 322 BC. He has written about many different subjects, and is one of the most important philosophers in Western thought. His beliefs on physics and science had a profound impact on a large portion of medieval thought, and the validity of some of his observations was only confirmed in the past hundred years or so. However, it is thought that a majority of his profound writings are now lost. It is believed that only about one fifth or so of his original writings have survived till this day. Aristotle’s writing about eudaimonia and his beliefs on how it is properly achieved does exist, and many philosophers have debated his theories.

Aristotle treats happiness as an activity, not a state. What this means is that one must do work and achieve it, it’s not just given to you. Happiness consists of a certain way of life, not of certain dispositions. Aristotle uses the word energeia to characterize happiness, which is the root to our word energy. What he is trying to say is that by saying happiness is an energeia, he contrasts happiness with virtue. He considers virtue to be a state a being, not an activity. Possessing all the right virtues, however, causes a person to live well, and a virtuous person is inclined toward living well. Also, Aristotle thinks that certain external goods are necessary for eudaimonia, but they are not completely sufficient for it. The ability of a person to be happy is threatened if that person is lacking in certain advantages. One’s virtuous activity will be diminished if he or she lacks external goods. The relationship between external goods and eudaimonia is that a happy person needs both goods of the body (such as health, hygiene, and good looks), external goods (such as