Sometimes Philosophy is not about technical terms, and difficult thoughts. Sometimes it is about simply becoming a better person. That is, about acquiring wisdom.
This was Aristotle’s concept of Philosophy. An avenue to wisdom, and to a genuinely happy life.
Aristotle
Aristotle (384-322 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist who was a student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great. He is known for his works on logic, metaphysics, ethics, politics, and biology. His influence on Western philosophy is still relevant today.
Happiness
Aristotle made a study out of happiness. He examined what is was, how how to achieve it.
Aristotle called happiness Eudaimonia. This means something close to flourishing. He asks us to imagine the ideal human being. This being has Eudaimonia.
Essentially, thought Aristotle, you are happy if you are closer to what you are meant to be. If you are a better approximation of the ideal human being.
A circle is better if it is drawn digitally, rather than by hand because it is closer to what we think of as a circle. Same with humans, the more our characteristics align with the ideal human, the better (and happier) we will be.
So, then, if we can work out what the ideal human characteristics are, we can set about instilling them in ourselves. And, in doing so, become fulfilled human beings.
Check out this sample tutorial on Virtue Ethics
How to achieve happiness
In order to gain Eudaimonia, says Aristotle, we simply need to acquire the characteristics of excellence.
When we look at others who are excellent, we can see one trait exhibited again and again: Moderation
So, in order to work out what the characteristics of excellence are, we need to ask what the moderate characteristic is.
The Golden Mean
It’s through this thought process that Aristotle arrives at the Golden Mean. This is the mid-point virtue between the vices of excess and deficiency.
Now, let’s see how this works. Here are five Aristotelian virtues and their related applications of the Golden Mean. Have a click around to explore:
Cowardice
Bravery
Recklessness
Stinginess
Moderate generosity
Wastefulness
Dishonesty
Truthfulness
Bluntness
Rudeness
Treat as best friend
Obsequiousness
Aristotle believed that each of these virtues, and many others, could be achieved by finding the right balance between extreme attitudes or behaviours. In this way, people could develop positive character traits and live a happy and fulfilling life.
How to gain the virtues
It’s all well and good for Aristotle to tells us what he believes the virtues to be. But how do we go about getting them? How do they become a part of us?
Aristotle’s answer is that virtues are simply habits. And we gain habits by doing them intentionally, until they become reflexive.
He asks us to consider an athlete who wants to become better. They become a better athlete by practicing the things they want to become better at. And, over time, they simply improve. They do things that at one time took a lot of concentration, and now are just the way their body behaves.
In the same way, says Aristotle, if we want to become more truthful, we just intentionally tell the truth. Eventually, it won’t require an act of will any more, it will be a habit.
As Aristotle says:
“We acquire the virtues by first acting virtuously.”
So, you want to be happy? Aristotle’s answer: envisage the ideal person, then imitate them until you become them.
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