by Aristotle
Part of Teokset, book 7
First published -340
Aristotle begins his inquiry into human flourishing with a simple observation: just as one swallow cannot signal summer's arrival, a single day cannot determine whether someone lives well. He argues that genuine happiness emerges from sustained virtuous activity of the soul. This includes moral virtues like courage, generosity, and justice, alongside intellectual virtues such as knowledge, wisdom, and insight. Aristotle explores how practical reasoning guides ethical decisions and examines pleasure's role in human life. He analyzes different types of friendship and their value. The work concludes by connecting individual virtue to broader questions about society and government. This translation by J. A. K. Thomson, revised by Hugh Tredennick, includes Jonathan Barnes's introduction and updated scholarly materials.
Genres: classics, philosophy, ancient, academic
Vibes: intimate, philosophical, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-work, philosophical-inquiry
Period: Ancient
329 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics