Research On Aristotle's Thought Of Happiness

In the history of western philosophy,Aristotle is the first man who studies deeply and systematically on the issue of happiness.His two works,Nicomachean Ethics and Politics,are regarded as the practice of science about human happiness.Aristotle based on the theory of soul,he argued that happiness is the moral realization activity of the soul from the rational function of human;and according to his potential and reality theory,he pointed out that happiness is not only the virtue,but also the realization of virtue,and will last a lifetime.He divided happiness into two types,namely,the happiness of contemplation and the happiness of virtue.He thought that the happiness of contemplation is the greatest happiness,is the most similar to the God of happiness,but only a few people can achieve it;and the happiness of virtue is second best,but most people can achieve it.Aristotle's discussion on happiness puts the happiness of the people as the core,surrounds how to realize the activity of moral virtue.He believes that virtue happiness must be based on the principle of mean,because the moral virtue,which is related to emotion and practice,is a state of character concerned with choice,is the mean relative to us.In order to correctly grasp the mean that needs people with practical wisdom.Practical wisdom is the guarantee of a happy life,there is no practical wisdom there is no happiness.Aristotle also pointed out that human is a political animal in nature;he tends to the life of the polis.The happiness of citizens can be realized only when it is unified with the happiness of the polis,and completed the construction of the theory of happiness.Although after thousands of years of baptism,Aristotle's theory of virtue happiness still has a practical value,and provides a useful reference for solving the dilemma of moral construction in contemporary society.