Happiness

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Aristotle appears to be more or less in agreement with Plato in that happiness is guided by intellect and reason. The author points out that Plato believes happiness results from a soul being ordered and ruled by reason, whereas Aristotle, who believes happiness is his guiding principle and a virtuous activity, concludes happiness is the end rather than the means. The paper, in an attempt to describe happiness today, concludes the only remaining truth is that happiness cannot be defined: Some people feel that happiness is striving actively for something, while others find their greatest happiness when at rest and at peace with themselves.

From the Paper:

"As a basis for this theory, Plato divided the human soul into three basic energies: Reason, emotion and appetite. As seen above, reason has the greatest value and the greatest potential to provide happiness. The other two are lower passions, and while they may provide fleeting satisfaction, this is not comparable with the lasting happiness provided by being just. This is in contrast to the hedonist view to enjoy as much of the physical world as possible before one dies. The Sophists of Plato's time also argued against the need for morality. Plato's response is found in "The Republic", where he fully explains the workings of the soul according to his view. If a person were to be happy, according to Plato, the lower passions must be ruled by the higher force of reason. And the consequence of this is that morality is driven by the desire to be happy."

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