When reading Aristotle’s Nicomacheean Ethics, I found it rather surprising how much the topics that were discussed are still relevant today. Most of the things brought up in Aristotle’s writing are very similar to the way that Benjamin Franklin lived his life, and to what Dr. Pennock addressed in the first chapter of his book. In his book, Aristotle talks about eudaimonia — which roughly translates to “happiness.” He states that a person who is eudaimon is not just enjoying life, but they are enjoying life by living successfully. Aristotle even goes on to contrast happiness with virtue — which he considers a state of being — and that having the right virtues allows a person to live well, while happiness is the activity of living well. I think that this is very much how Franklin viewed life, and what he believed happiness to be. Benjamin Franklin was obviously a very successful man, but in his autobiography he says that he is not successful because of only the things that he has accomplished, but because he has also lived a happy life. I believe that this is very similar to what Aristotle was saying when he talks about happiness is not just about enjoying life, but being successful in life as well. This is not to say that Franklin believed that his wealth was what made him happy; what is meant is that Franklin would probably agree that his happiness is partially because of his living a virtuous and well life. This is very similar to Aristotle who believed that a virtuous person was more inclined to head towards a happy lifestyle — which Franklin proves. Benjamin Franklin during his life, also, tried to achieve moral perfection, with the virtues he believed to be important. He talks about how virtues will allow him to live a happier and better life, which is what Aristotle is talking about in his book as well. It is amazing how the things that Aristotle believed, many years before Franklin’s birth, are so similar to what Franklin believed as well.
Caitlin papaThis is where I will post my blogs for the readings done in LB 492. Archives
November 2016
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