In class we have been talking about how the meaning of the word 'happiness' used by Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics is different from how we use the word 'happiness' today. As I have understood from class discussions, Aristotle's use of the word is more "all-encompassing" and speaks to the fullness of one's life as a whole rather than the meaning of momentary pleasure or enjoyment that we use today.
However, in Book I, Chapter 10, it seems as though Aristotle momentarily switches to the way we use the word when he writes, "For it is clear that, if we were to follow along with the fortunes, we would often call the same person happy and miserable in turns, making the happy person out to be a kind of chameleon or a structure built on rotten foundations" (1100b). I got confused because if Aristotle means ultimate happiness and fullness of life when he uses the word happy, wouldn't the people around a person not know if they were happy or miserable until their life was over?
I was also confused about people not knowing if they were happy/miserable until death, but I believe a person would have some sort of sense of their happiness. If they were virtuous throughout their entire life, I would expect them to discover they were happy in the end.
ReplyDeleteAs for the quote from Book 1 Chapter 10, I think Aristotle is just saying that he wouldn't want to assume someones happiness, so we might as well call them happy and miserable. "...and because one assumes that happiness is something durable and not at all easily changed...". Happiness can turn to miserable quickly, so we cant always assume one's happiness
I understand avoiding the assumption of a person's happiness and that it can change into misery quickly. I just feel that that wasn't exactly what Aristotle was getting at. I, personally, don't read it as a warning against assumption. It seems more like he is trying to express the fact that even though a person may not always be momentarily happy, a person can still live a life that is ultimately happy. (maybe I am off in left field)
ReplyDeleteNo I agree with you Ms. Bissell. It is probably safe to say that no one goes through their entire life without a moment of misery or sadness. But this one moment should not define a peron's entire life. Life can ultimately be happy, but still contain moments of sorrow.
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