Aristotle (384-322 BC) was not only the last great Greek philosopher, but he was also the first leading biologist in Europe.
Being a student of Plato for over twenty years, he developed a unique philosophy deeply influenced by the natural world. His contributions have left a lasting mark across various fields.
His curiosity about human nature and society established him as the father of modern political science.
In this article, we will explore three essential rules for leading a happy life according to Aristotle.
In this article…
Happiness According to Aristotle
For Aristotle, happiness is not something we aim to achieve at a specific moment. It is a goal we constantly pursue through our actions and activities. It’s an end in itself, not a means to an end.
Let’s take an example: If you tell me you need money, and I ask why, you’ll probably say it’s to buy clothes or food. Money is, therefore, a means, not an end.
But if you tell me you want to be happy, and I ask why, it’s hard to find an answer because who doesn’t want to be happy? Happiness is the ultimate good, an end in itself that is self-sufficient and doesn’t need justification.
Happiness cannot be achieved until the end of one’s life. Hence it is a goal and not a temporary state.
Aristotle
The Ultimate Condition for Happiness
According to Aristotle, a person can only truly be happy if they develop all their faculties and potential. He drew much of his inspiration from observing nature.
Aristotle noticed that an intelligent force governs and organizes matter to create familiar forms such as plants, animals, planets, and stars. Without this intelligence, the universe would be a mess.
Even if atoms tried to come together, they would form nothing coherent. Therefore, laws and rules are essential for the universe to be as orderly as we know it.
Aristotle explains that matter has an intrinsic potential to realize an underlying possibility. Every change in matter, he argues, is a transition from ¨possible¨ to ¨real¨, from ¨chaos¨ to ¨order¨. He called this principle ¨potentiality¨.
For Aristotle, this rule also applies to human beings. We all possess the potential and ability to transform a possibility into reality.
Existing “potentially” means how far we can go in our lives. It’s the ability of a seed to become a rose, an egg to transform into a chicken, and a newborn to grow into a mature and accomplished person.
For Aristotle, the key to happiness lies in developing all our latent potential and capacities.
He believed that nothing is created in vain, meaning that everything that exists has a reason and a purpose. Everything in nature has a goal inherent to its function.
To fulfill the reason we exist, we must know and reach our true potential. It’s a continuous quest for self-improvement and excellence. It’s about being good at what we are meant to be good at.
To achieve this, we must first know ourselves. With transparency and authenticity, we need to listen to ourselves without judgment. We must ask ourselves the following questions: What can we become? What possibilities are available to us to become a better version of ourselves? What is our true purpose in life?
By pursuing our purpose and being good at what we do, we are on the path to happiness and fulfillment. And our highest goal, according to Aristotle, is virtue; we must learn to be virtuous to be truly happy.
The 3 Rules for a Happy Life
1. Appreciate Simple Pleasures and Moments of Joy
Aristotle teaches us that to be happy, it is essential to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. But be careful, this doesn’t mean giving in to every desire or seeking superficial pleasures.
Aristotle makes a clear distinction between noble pleasures, which enrich our soul, and inferior pleasures, often fleeting and unsatisfying in the long run.
Take food, for example: savoring a good meal in the company of loved ones is a noble pleasure. This moment of sharing and conviviality nourishes not only our body but also our mind and heart.
Similarly, taking the time to enjoy the beauty of a sunset, listening to music that moves us, or simply laughing with friends are simple pleasures that contribute to our happiness.
Some might argue that there are people who find pleasure in manipulating, dominating, or even torturing others. Why, then, should they abstain from such activities if it pleases them?
The truth is these individuals are deceiving themselves. They act out of a twisted motivation driven by denial, ill will, and malice. Perhaps this brings them temporary pleasure, but is achieving a goal by hurting others really worth pursuing?
In reality, they destroy any hope of well-being and happiness. They bring about the dreadful suffering of humanity. They harm their own soul, plunging it into the depths of darkness.
Aristotle emphasizes that pleasure should not be sought for its own sake but should accompany activities of a good nature.
It’s not about constantly seeking external stimulation, but about cultivating a mindset that allows us to find joy in activities aligned with our purpose and virtue.
Try to become aware of the activities you do each day. Note them, even the smallest ones. How do they make you feel? Do they enrich your existence?
If so, learn to appreciate these moments more and integrate them as an essential part of your journey towards a fulfilled life.
2. Take responsibility as a social being
For Aristotle, living in society is not a choice but a necessity. As human beings, we are naturally social animals, made to live together and collaborate.
“Man is by nature a social animal; an individual who is unsocial naturally and not accidentally is either beneath our notice or more than human. Society is something that precedes the individual. Anyone who either cannot lead the common life or is so self-sufficient as not to need to, and therefore does not partake of society, is either a beast or a god. ”
― Aristotle
It’s no accident that nature has made humans incapable of ensuring their own survival alone. As we have seen, everything created in nature has a purpose, and there’s a reason why humans are helpless when alone. It’s to push us to associate with others and form communities.
The great potential of human beings can only be realized when they cooperate and unite their strengths. This means that our happiness and fulfillment largely depend on our ability to live in harmony with others and contribute to the common good.
Isolation and absolute solitude can drive a person mad. Beyond essential needs like security, food, and shelter, we need the presence of others to feel complete. It is through interaction with others that we become aware of our own existence.
Humans are naturally inclined to live in society to be happy because it is within the community that we can truly flourish and satisfy our fundamental needs.
By interacting with others, we find support, security, and opportunities for learning and growth. The presence of others helps us to better know ourselves and to realize our full potential. It is through others that we find our path and avoid wandering aimlessly.
In short, by actively participating in collective life, we can achieve lasting and authentic happiness.
3. Cultivate Your Mind and Knowledge
Aristotle firmly believed that the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is essential for leading a happy and fulfilling life. By cultivating our minds and constantly seeking to learn, we enrich our lives and develop our potential to the fullest.
Aristotle also emphasized that it’s not enough to just learn; we must also practice and develop habits to better integrate this knowledge into our lives.
He asserted that cultivating knowledge and applying it in our daily lives brings us closer to virtue, our supreme goal.
We become temperate by practicing temperance, courageous by practicing courage, and so on.
Aristotle viewed virtue as a quality of character that allows a person to act in an ethical and balanced manner, finding the middle ground between extremes.
For example, modesty lies between vanity and excessive humility. A vain person might constantly boast about their achievements, while an excessively humble person might downplay their accomplishments and qualities. The virtue of modesty involves acknowledging one’s achievements in a balanced way, without arrogance or self-deprecation, while being aware of one’s true abilities.
What we can learn from Aristotle is that we don’t become virtuous by accident; we must learn from our mistakes and strive to correct them. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way, because playing it safe means you’ll never truly learn.
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