Happiness, human nature and teleology in ancient and mediaevel philosophy

Abstract

According to Aristotle in his ethical works, man is his intellect1, by which he means that the best thing in man is his intellect2. The intellect is the part of man which distinguishes him from plants and animals3. Since plants and animals cannot be happy, therefore - Aristotle concludes - happiness must arise from activity of the intellect4. The intellect, which is part of the soul, is subdivided into a contemplative part and a deliberative part, and the contemplative part is superior to the deliberative part5. Therefore, supreme happiness will arise from contemplation, which is the virtue of the contemplative part6, and second-rate happiness from moral virtue, which is the virtue of the deliberative part.