Review Questions:

1. What is happiness, accoring to Aristotle? How is it related to virtue? How is it related to pleasure?

As we all know, happiness is when one is feeling good and not the opposite. There could be many reasons why one can be happy, everyone has their own reasons. But according to Aristotle, happiness is not honor, pleasure, or wealth, in which we consider happiness. Aristotle claims that happiness is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, which has two kinds: moral and intellectual.

2. How does Aristotle expain moral virtue?

Aristotle explains moral virtue, which comes from trainning and habit, and generally is a state of character that is a mean between the vices of excess and deficiency. One example of Aristotle would be courage, as a mean between extremes of rashness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency).

So, this is what Aristotle means by a moral virtue. These are things that we believe in and is based on how we were raised as a person.

3. Is it possible for everyone in our society to be happy, as Aristotle explains? If not, who cannot be happy?

Aristotle gave many reasons, and I mean deep reasons why one should be happy, asides from wealth, pleasure, and honor. But regardless of what Aristotle said, I do believe that it is possible for everyone in our society to be happy. Regardless of what makes one happy, it is very possible to be happy and impossible to be not happy even just for a short amount of time. In my own belief, I do not believe that the external factors is what makes a person really happy. What I am trying to say here is that, Happiness is within a man. Only you can make yourself happy. Happiness is a matter of choosing to be happy. You can either feel sad or unhappy, but no one decides happiness but yourself. Happiness is not outside, but within a man.

Discussion Questions:

1. Aristotle characterizes a life of pleasure as a suitable for beasts. But what, if anything, is wrong with a life of pleasure?

Aristotle may have stated life of pleasure suitable for beasts, but in my own opinion, it is what you belief in that limits the possibility of happiness or pleasure. For example, if you were a chatholic, you would only be allowed one wife, and if you break this rule, you have committed a sin. But in another religion, you can have as many wives as you can and even divorce one and find a new one. So, basically, what I am trying to say here is that, it is al about your beliefs. Some may call it bad pleasure, and some may call it good pleasure. So, it really depends on what you believe in, as we all have our own beliefs, including Aristotle himself.

2. Aristotle claims that the philosopher will be happier than anyone else. Why is this? Do you agree or not?

Like I have stated in the previous questions, happiness is within. So, yes, this is possible that a philosopher will be happier than anyone else. But, any person can match a philosopher's happines or even beat it if they choose to. Like I've said, it all depends on ones belief. So, basically, I disagree with Aristotle, because whatever it is he says whether who can be happiest is based on his beleifs, and everyone of us has our own belief. Although, I have disagreed, it doesn't mean that I do not respect Aristotles beliefs. No, I am not like that. Everyone has their own beliefs and I respect that. So, as I respect everyones belief, I hope my own beliefs and opinions gets the same respect.