No one has a doubt that achieving happiness is achieved with a virtuous life. But, for most of us, happiness consists of the pleasures that the material world shares with us, even knowing that any wise human being seeks it in the exercise of intangible life.
The latter, according to Aristotle, does not exclude the balanced enjoyment of sensible pleasures, since happiness is, in essence, about living and doing good; that is, to lead a life rich in virtues.
Practice virtues to achieve happiness
Greek philosophy and ethics were aimed at the formation of character. One of the philosophers who contributed the most to this topic was Aristotle, whose definition of virtue sought not to eliminate desires, but to channel them towards the end that is happiness.
There are three great works on ethics attributed to Aristotle: the Nicomachean Ethics, which consists of ten books; the Eudemia Ethics, which consists of seven books; and the Magna Moralia, of which it is doubtful whether it was written by him or by a compiler.
On this basis Aristotle, who together with Socrates and Plato symbolizes the Western philosophical search, defines the concept of virtue. Virtue as the happy medium. The philosopher viewed virtues as character traits and tendencies to act in a particular way.
Each virtue is the middle point between excess and lack. Applied in practical terms this means, for example, that a virtuous person will know how much he can drink without it being too much and without completely abstaining.
For Aristotle, we become moderate by practicing moderation and brave by practicing courage, among other such statements, which leads to virtue becoming a habit.
What are the virtues according to Aristotle?
Courage: the midpoint between cowardice and recklessness. The brave person is aware of the danger, but goes anyway.
Temperance: virtue between excess of indulgence and insensitivity. Aristotle would judge the person who never drinks as harshly as the person who drinks too much.
Generosity: The virtue of charity, this is the golden mean between meanness and giving more than you can afford.
Magnificence: the virtue of living extravagantly. She rests between meanness and vulgarity. Aristotle sees no reason to be ascetic, but he also warns against being showy.
Magnanimity: the virtue related to pride; It’s the middle ground between not giving yourself enough credit and having delusions of grandeur. It is a fact that you must also act on this sense of self-esteem and strive for greatness.
Patience: This is the virtue that controls your temperament. The patient person should not get too angry, nor should he stop getting angry when he should.
TRUE: the virtue of honesty. Aristotle places it between the vices of habitual lying and not being tactful or boastful.
Cunning: It is the midpoint between buffoonery and rudeness; This is the virtue of having a good sense of humor.
Sympathy: Although being friendly might not seem like a moral virtue, Aristotle claims that friendship is a vital part of a life well lived. This virtue is somewhere between not being nice at all and being too friendly to too many people.
Shame: the middle ground between being too shy and being shameless. The person who has the right amount of shame will understand when he has made a social or moral mistake, but will not be afraid to take the risk.
Justice: the virtue of treating others fairly. It is halfway between selfishness and selflessness. This virtue can also be applied in different situations and Aristotle has an entire chapter dedicated to the various forms it can take.
Main photography: Sanja Marusic