Nicomachean Ethics is considered one of the most significant
works of Aristotle, in which he gave his famous theory of happiness. Here is an
interesting fact about that - It has been over 2,300 years, but it is still
relevant and functional today.
The main reason behind that was a simple point - finding the
purpose of life. Nowadays, we can see that everybody is trying to seek
pleasure, a good bank balance, and fame. However, very few consider humanity as
the reason for being happy. According to Aristotle, one finds happiness within.
And a person achieves it when he considers him a human being and not a robot. A
person can become happy when he understands himself and the need for humanity.
Aristotle pleads that almost everyone would agree that they
become happy when they achieve what they desire. But for him, happiness is not
a fruit of materialistic wants. A person gets happiness because of intellectual
desires.
According to him, materialism can only make a person satisfied.
But, these are the intellectual needs that can create real happiness and joy.
And that is achieved by understanding the meaning of life and humanity.
Moreover, according to him, happiness is a mental trance that does not stay for
some hours but a lifetime. As a matter of fact, happiness is something that
lasts for a lifetime. That means according to the Aristotelian mindset, one can
become happy only by avoiding materialistic desires. And it can be accomplished
when the intellect is higher than the materialistic approach of an individual.
It sounds like the ultimate purpose of a human being is to
achieve that higher state of intellectualism - happiness. Well, that is right!
He once said:
"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the
whole aim and the end of human existence."
And if we consider, nowadays we all are looking for it. We have
engaged ourselves in so many things that are not important for us, but we are
doing those activities only to please our materialism with the hope that
eventually, we will achieve happiness and joy. Nowadays, we are all lost in our
busy schedules. Office, Colleagues, friends, family, and home are what we think
about the idea of practical life is. Unfortunately, we have no time to relax
and enjoy the aesthetics and the real purpose of life. Consciously or
unconsciously, we are mixing the state of satisfaction with happiness.
People these days think that by achieving their materialistic
goals and desires, they'll acquire happiness. However, it does not work like
that. Instead, it is very toxic for human feelings and emotions. Lots of
negative emotions grow just because this is how we are acting. And then, we
simply start to complain, and more complexities arise in our perplexed minds.
There are so many examples out there to study. Some people are glad and
satisfied with what they have in their lives.
Being a psychologist, when I see them, I find this mindset of
Aristotle accurate! But, when I see those who have a better lifestyle, a good
bank balance, luxurious cars but no mental peace, I again find Aristotle right.
It means that happiness is indeed the ultimate aim and purpose of life, and one
could get it by overcoming materialism present inside his intellect. I will
like to end this post by quoting a line from my own book:
"Materialism is a state of mind loaded inside our intellect
and passes when our intellect rises."
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