Good
...e believes there is nothing distinctively human about this lifestyle. Also, he states that this way of life would also be suitable to animals. Therefore, pleasure cannot be the highest of all goods. The second belief is honor. This honor is usually found through the political life but can also be found in various other locations such as business and social circles. Aristotle argues that this life is too shallow and superficial. Honor concerns itself more on those who praise than the one being honored. We instinctively believe that good is something we create for ourselves and therefore, is hard to steal from us. Also, some desire honor in order to persuade themselves that they are righteous. As it is, they strive to gain prestige sensible people, those that they know, and for virtue. In this aspect, it is apparent that virtue is greater than honor in terms of the highest good. Alas, virtue is also thought to be the highest good by a select minority. Virtue is considered to be the end which honor hopes to attain. The author claims that this theory is too incomplete. To support this claim, he argues that a person who possesses virtue could also be inactive and stagnant throughout his life, leaving him vulnerable to any and all evil and disaster. If this is the life he chooses to lead, no one would consider him to be happy. Wealth is the final virtue that some view to be the highest good. Some believe that acquiring riches and belongings will equal a life of happiness. Aristotle discards this as well. The reason is that money and possessions can only be used to meet another goal. Wealth is not gathered for its own sake. Therefore, it cannot be the highest good. Aristotle doesn’t entirely disagree with these four beliefs. He explains that while each of these are not the highest good, they can all be used to venture down the path to happiness, the true highest good. The groups that hold these beliefs, while not completely wrong, are only correct on only one aspect or possibly even several facets of happiness. Aristotle agrees that happiness can be found in virtue to some degree. He believes that activity combined with virtue leads to happiness while pursuing that virtue. The difference within each virtue lies with either the possession or the usage of that virtue. For example, a person may not be using one of their virtues and attain no good because of it. However, the virtue does exist because, even while inactive, the ability is still within that person to act upon his virtue and to accomplish i...