(Originally Written May 31, 2006 in Book 3)
The good is that which our end is. Thus, the means (actions by which we hope to accomplish the end) are not the good.
But most ends are merely means to further ends. This means are goods because ends are sometimes means to some new end.
The highest good must be something final. It is the end of all means and not a mean to some new end.
Happiness is the highest good.
Happiness must be defined in the function of man and what is particular to him & not to any other creature. Thus, happiness has nothing to do with life (as all creatures have life) and nothing to do with sensation (as animals sense as well). Therefore, happiness is defined in terms of the soul, which is unique to man.
The good of man is activity of the soul in accordance with virtue (that virtue must be final and the best virtue of all).
Happiness needs external help, for men with unhappy circumstances can hardly find happiness.
A happy man is "one who in accord with perfect virtue and adequately furnished with external good, not for some chance period of time but for his whole lifetime" (Shaw, 50).
No comments:
Post a Comment