The concept which was most interesting for me this week was trying to unearth what Aristotle meant by his word "happiness" in his paper The Nicomachean Ethics. The term was so interesting to me because Aristotle is never completely clear on what makes up happiness. In relation to his term Good, I began to think that perhaps happiness meant self-actualization after all your bodily need have been met. However, then Aristotle began to state that "Ordinary people identify it with some obvious and visible good..." (page 7) so my theory of self-actualization didn't seem to hold much weight. I was very confused as to where one would make the distinction between what makes someone an "ordinary" person and someone who is "extra-ordinary." Are extraordinary people the ones who seek happiness through wealth, honour and overall have the "good life"?
Later on in the paper, Aristotle states “When a man falls ill, he thinks health is happiness” (page 7) So this made me wonder if happiness is fluid and always changing. This raised the question as to whether or not Aristotle thinks we can ever truly be happy. Overall, the largest thing that I struggled with was the understanding of how this Good and Happiness could relate back to reading and writing. I came to the conclusion that in order to be happy, we must read and write things that are both fulfilling to our human nature and personality, as well as read and write in order to contribute to the greater good. I’m still struggling as to what that greater Good would be, though.
Later on in the paper, Aristotle states “When a man falls ill, he thinks health is happiness” (page 7) So this made me wonder if happiness is fluid and always changing. This raised the question as to whether or not Aristotle thinks we can ever truly be happy. Overall, the largest thing that I struggled with was the understanding of how this Good and Happiness could relate back to reading and writing. I came to the conclusion that in order to be happy, we must read and write things that are both fulfilling to our human nature and personality, as well as read and write in order to contribute to the greater good. I’m still struggling as to what that greater Good would be, though.
4 comments:
I agree with you, Shawn. WIthout extraordinary ordinary would be to some people extraordinary. I know that sounds confusing but I think the best way to describle the greater Good is doing something beyond yourself. Of course it can benefit you but it has to be bigger so it can benefit others and inspire them to do greatness. I think that's what Aristotle meant.
I also struggled with Aristotle's interpretation of the Supreme Good or greater Good. It seemed that his explanation of "Good" is within the one person and within the one circumstance. I do agree that it seems he believes Good to be somewhat fluid, but not fluid in the sense that it is never the same. I believe that Good can be experienced differently given the circumstance, but you will always when the Good or Happy is present due to your past experiences.
What I get from that is that ordinary people think of happiness in a way that Aristotle thinks is less than ideal. An ordinary person places his happiness in things that he can see right away: he wants to be rich, healthy, and honored. Aristotle thinks it is better to desire something more: the "Good" that he keeps chasing through his essay. Happiness should be achieved through reaching Good.
I liked your idea of how Happiness and Good related back to reading and writing. As an example,many people think the way to a good life and happiness is through a good job that provides financial security. How do you get a good job? Many people would say "Go to college and get a degree." I feel like that's we have to have major selection in college. However we have so many options to study, but as you said it "in order to be happy,we must read and write things that are both fulfilling to our human nature and personality." Simply, we write what we feel is good and makes us happy and that's why we pick the majors we do.
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