Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle

In Nicomachean Ethics Aristotle makes the case for the fulfillment of Eudimonea, the greatest happiness and good that a person can achieve. He states that there are 3 ways in which creatures, human specifically go about trying to fulfill Eudimonea. The first is through pleasure, be it sensual, tactile or mental. Through this basic ingredient me experience such things as food, games, and science fiction novels. The 2nd part of Aristotle’s Eudimonea is honor and recognition, be it recognition from friends, or from an achievement. This also represents political achievements as Aristotle claimed that through service to others you strengthened you self. The third, final and most important aspect of Eudimonea is reflection. Being able to subject you own beliefs and experiences to rigorous self examination and reinterpretation. This is the key part of Aristotle’s teachings, being able to take your pleasures and recognition and reflect and glean from them. One thing that Aristotle is very clear on is that to achieve these objectives one must have been subjected to the proper society when growing up, a society steeped in order. A lawless or anarchic society would not meet the base prerequisites for this objective to be fulfilled.

While Aristotle’s arguments are compelling, and in most cases very true, I think there are some dated concepts which do not necessarily lend themselves to action in a modern context. Specifically Aristotle concentration on encouraging the following of politics. Politics are so different now from when he was alive almost 2000 years ago. One thing that shaped this change is the size of the governing body. In Aristotle time the political sphere was the city-state of Athens not the country of Greece. I dare say that the kind of enormous political powers that exist today were outside the scope of Aristotle thought. For on, its so hard to communicate and connect with people when you have constituents numbering in the millions. Also the power involved in politics has made it a battleground of mudslinging and smearing. Its hard to think of any truly good person getting in to politics and achieving anything worthwhile.

While politics might have changed from Aristotle’s goals and aims have not. While politics may not longer fit his requirements for Eudimonea, other things have taken their place. Many of the objectives Aristotle was