Happiness Is Fake

In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle presents the argument of human goodness and human happiness. Throughout Ethics, Aristotle discusses the true nature of human happiness and where it can be found. Aristotle suggests that happiness is a choice and the result of actions that are aimed at a certain goal that holds a noble value. Aristotle mentions that there are different types of actions and that certain actions will lead to different ends. Throughout the books, Aristotle discusses how certain people might have the feeling of happiness. Aristotle discusses three different ways of living, which all view happiness and goodness differently. However, as the discussion goes on it leads to the conclusion that, happiness is a result of living well and making good choices and it is something that all humans strive to achieve.

In chapter five Aristotle asserts that ways of living can be divided into three different groups.  He talks about how the different groups lead different lives, aimed at different goals. Of the first group he says, “The many and the crudest seem to suppose, that the good and happiness are pleasure.”(1095b15-16). What Aristotle seems to be saying the majority of people believe that goodness and happiness are pure pleasure. Meaning that if it pleases you it must be considered good by you and, therefore, it does not matter what anyone else says. That lifestyle makes happiness and goodness subjective and entirely up to each individual person to judge. This thinking sets no standards to goodness and happiness, allowing it to be different whenever it suits the world. Aristotle says, “They cherish the life of enjoyment” (1095b16-17). By this Aristotle is saying that the people who think of happiness and goodness as a subjective matter are the ones who do whatever it is that gives them enjoyment and pleasure at that very moment and it will not matter what anyone else thinks.

The second group, according to Aristotle, is the political group. Aristotle says, “Choose honor, this is pretty much the end of the political life.” (1095b23-24). Which gives the political lifestyle a very shallow ending and it seems Aristotle does not agree with this view either. Aristotle then proceeds to explain to readers how the political group views honor. He call this group superficial and explains that honor is more beneficial to the person who gives it, not the one who receives it. Aristotle asserts that the political group views goodness as something that is subjective and something that is defined by each individual. Aristotle then explains to the readers how honor and goodness tie together. “People pursue honor so they may be convinced that they themselves are good.”(1095b27-28). Aristotle is saying here that most people only strive for honor because then they are esteemed in the eyes of the people honoring them. However, that thinking lacks any kind of virtue and true goodness, as the motivation to be honored is pure selfishness. Conversely, the prudent people of the political group who do have virtue, say that virtue is superior to honor. Although, virtue is the higher end of the political lifestyle, it is still an incomplete life. Aristotle says that even though virtue is good, it is not true complete goodness and happiness, since you can have misfortune while still having virtue.  

The third group lives the contemplative life. According to Aristotle the people in this group place an importance on virtue, friendships and pleasure. Aristotle continues his discussion about happiness by stating, “Happiness is not a characteristic” (1176a33). “But instead happiness resides in a certain activity” (1176b1). Aristotle is saying here that we should be choosing certain activities that make us happy, and they must be good and have virtue. Since happiness is derived from living and acting well, we must choose to live with virtue and make good moral choices. Aristotle calls these morally good activities “choice worthy”, and he says, “It is clear that one must posit happiness as being among the activities that are choice worthy in themselves.” (1176b4-5). Aristotle is explaining that true happiness exists purely because it is self-sufficient and does not exist for the sake of something else. Activities that are choice worthy are activities that are sought because they are good simply by themselves and they do not need any other actions added to it. True happiness is the same way. Happiness is good in and of itself. Happiness always exists and is a constant state in this world. Humans simply have to choose to be in the state of true happiness by living and acting well.

Aristotle seems to be proposing that happiness is a constant state in this universe. However, to be in this state one has to lead a good life, full of virtue. Happiness is not a feeling one produces from inside themselves. Rather it is the reaction received from the universe in accordance with how someone lives their life. Although people can seem happy while they are not leading good lives, that is artificial happiness and they will never be truly happy. True happiness can only come from actions and choices that are inherently good.   

Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by Robert C. Bartlett and Susan D. Collins, University of Chicago Press, Reprint edition, 2012.