Aristotle on a Good Human Life
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Authors
Crews, Dani
Issue Date
2025-04-03
Type
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Description
One of the most common questions a human being may ask is that of “what is the meaning of
life?” We often think of it as our life’s goal to find meaning, and most conclude that the meaning
of life is to be a happy, good person. But what exactly makes a good person? Virtue Ethics is a
broad term that refers to any theory or methodology that focuses on good of character. That is,
what can we do to live a life that can be considered “good?” Theories of virtue ethics stem from
the ideas of ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics, and their ideas
persist today. I will be presenting Aristotle’s account of virtue as the state of something when it is
at its most excellent condition. I will use the example of walking in the woods at night to
illustrate what he thinks a virtue is. I will also discuss Aristotle’s definition of vice and how it is
related to the concepts of intermediate, excess, and deficiency. I will then discuss T.D. Roche’s
essay, “Happiness and the External Goods.” I will conclude by criticizing Aristotle’s ethics on
the grounds that it is hard to distinguish between what exactly is too much or too little of an
emotion, as well as the fact that his idea of a blueprint created by our actions is highly
contradictory to his concept of human growth.