Aristotelian Ethics and Human Happiness

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, provides profound insights into what constitutes a fulfilling life through his function argument. According to Aristotle, humans ought to aim for a flourishing life, one that a good human would naturally have. To determine what constitutes human goodness, it is essential to comprehend the function of humans. For Aristotle, the essence of human function lies in rational activity and rationally guided cognition. Rationality, in this context, involves acting in ways aligned with reason, and achieving this involves fulfilling the virtues that correspond to our characteristic function.

By examining the function of various objects, Aristotle draws parallels to uncover the human function and how we can fulfill it excellently. This essay aims to clarify Aristotle’s function argument, explore its premises, and demonstrate how cultivating virtues leads to a flourishing life.

The Function Argument: Premises and Explanations

The function argument serves as a framework for understanding what it means to be a human being, identifying their function, and illustrating how cultivating virtues results in a flourishing life. Aristotle posits that the characteristic activity of any given thing is akin to that of a good thing of the same type. For example, just as a good knife must efficiently cut, a good human must excellently engage in rational activities. If we consider the characteristic activity of a human to be living a certain kind of life, then the distinction between a mere human and a good human is that the latter lives that life well. The key to performing this function well lies in acting in accordance with human virtues, which are essentially actions aligned with reason.

Aristotle uses a logical method to define the function of humans, similar to how one might determine the characteristic function of an artifact. For instance, a knife's purpose is to cut, and a good knife is sharp, allowing it to perform its function efficiently. Similarly, a good car effectively transports people without frequent breakdowns. Although a malfunctioning car is still a car, its effectiveness in fulfilling its purpose is compromised. This concept is crucial for understanding premises two and three, which help distinguish a regular human from a good human and clarify our function.

The third premise emphasizes that the human characteristic function extends beyond mere survival, as seen in plants, or sentience, as observed in animals. What distinguishes humans is sapience, or rationally guided cognition. Aristotle defines human function as the activity of the soul that follows a rational principle. The soul, in this context, refers to the human psyche or cognitive faculty, and the rational principle indicates actions not driven by instinct but based on reason. For example, unlike a cat that repeatedly goes in and out of the house without a rational decision-making process, humans possess the capability for rational deliberation.

Virtues and Human Function: Achieving Excellence

Premise four sets the stage for premise five by addressing what needs to be done to fulfill characteristic functions well. Aristotle argues that fulfilling our function entails cultivating virtues. Virtues are excellences or properties that enable an entity to perform its characteristic function well. In the case of a knife, sharpness is a virtue because it allows the knife to cut effectively. Similarly, human virtues such as courage, temperance, and generosity allow individuals to use their rational cognition effectively.

A good human, according to Aristotle, has cultivated these virtues and, therefore, reasons well and acts in accordance with those reasons, rather than merely following instincts. Aristotle believes that character is the essence of a good person, and this character is shaped by practical virtues. Humans, with their rational soul, have the potential to achieve these moral virtues, leading to a life of flourishing.

Conclusion: The Path to Human Flourishing

Aristotle’s function argument suggests that everything has a function, and humans are no exception. The premises of the argument break down and elaborate on the human function, providing a roadmap for achieving the ultimate goal of living a flourishing life. Premise one introduces the concept that everything has a characteristic function, and performing this function well is what makes it good. Premise two connects human life to our characteristic activity, helping us understand our essence. Premise three differentiates humans from other beings by introducing rationality as the human function. Premise four examines how we fulfill our function through the cultivation of virtues, and premise five ties it all together, demonstrating how virtues aligned with reason lead to a flourishing life.

In summary, Aristotle’s function argument offers a compelling framework for understanding human flourishing. By focusing on rational activity and the cultivation of virtues, individuals can strive to become good humans, achieving fulfillment and a flourishing life. This philosophical perspective not only deepens our understanding of human nature but also provides practical guidance for leading a virtuous and meaningful life.

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