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When we talk about happiness, we need several things in order to

reach the happiness. Firstly we need contemplation, our reason. Secondly

acting on this insights knowledge- by contemplation of everything. In

order to be happy, either contemplation and actions are necessary.

Contemplation singlehandedly can not take us to the end point of

happiness, therefore it is not the end product that can lead men to the

ultimate goal of happiness. Acting on the virtues and the knowledge that

comes us from contemplation is necessary to reach the ultimate goal of

life. We can think the life is like a road. Knowing where to go is important

in this life, yet walking the road is necessary too. Knowing the road and

walking on it is different things. Their difference comes from the

experience, the things on the road will be different than we believe we

know. Therefore active knowledge is a necessity to reach the end of the

road, to happiness.

We can say everyone has a virtue, but in order to make this virtue to

bear fruits, we need to use it in the real world and we have to show the

world that we have that virtue. life. But even this appears somewhat

incomplete;* for possession of virtue seems actually compatible with being

asleep, or with lifelong inactivity, and, further, with the greatest sufferings

and misfortunes; but a man who was living so no one would call happy,

unless he were maintaining a thesis at all costs (Aristotle 1096a). A

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sleeping man can have all the virtues but if the man does not show his

virtues to the world then we can not say that this man has that virtue.

Same goes for the contemplative life. If only contemplation about this

world is the only activity that this man is doing, then how can he show his

knowledge he get from contemplation about this life. as in the Olympic

Games it is not themost beautiful and the strongest that are crowned but

those whocompete (for it is some of these that are victorious), so those

whoact win, and rightly win, the noble and good things in life. (Aristotle

1099a). Just like in the olympic games, one has to join the games in order

to show his virtue, otherwise it is wasted. This mans happiness will come

to him when he earns his gold medal. Therefore the gold will bring him the

happiness that he has searched for all of his life.

On the other hand the difference between man and animal is that

the man has reason. Therefore mans greatest virtue is contemplation.

Contemplation is containing happiness in itself, therefore it will give

pleasure to the man for the longest time. For it is a whole, and at no time

can one find a pleasure whose form will be completed if the pleasure lasts

longer. For this reason, too, it is not a movement. For every movement

(e.g. that of building) takes time and is for the sake of an end, and is

complete when it has made what it aims at. It is complete, therefore, only

in the whole time or at that final moment. (Aristotle Book X, IV-20).

Aristotle claims that only when a building is finished, then activity bears its

fruit hence happiness comes for a small moment to the builder. But

Contemplation gives happiness to the man the whole time. But

contemplative man can not be happy if there is nothing he has done in his

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years on this world. That man can not be happy because he can not

accomplished anything with his life. He has to take actions and make

something to show his wisdom to the world. And therefore he can help the

people and be virtuous.

To have happiness, one must have leisure in his life. Aristotle claims

that happiness is thought to depend on leisure; for we are busy that we

may have leisure, and make war that we may live in peace. Now the

activity of the practical virtues is exhibited in political or military affairs,

but the actions concerned with these seem to be unleisurely. (Aristotle

Book X-5). That a soldier in war can not be happy. But sometimes war

becomes inevitable and used as a tool to gain freedom if the freedom of a

man is threatened. Without freedom how can one man have time for

contemplation and have leisure in their lives. Can a slave be happy? We

have to open what is slavery. Slavery is being an object to the master, a

tool. Therefore masters will becomes slaves will therefore we can not say

that freedom of ones own does not belongs to him. So there will be no

happiness or leisure but working and making a living. There will be no time

for contemplation in a slaves world and there will be no end point of ones

life which is happiness. Aristotle claims that States rulers goes to war to

show virtue and gain glory. But sometimes states just tries to defent their

sovereignty and not expanding in order to show virtue. In such cases all

citizens must take up arms. Aristotle says that a soldiers life is not

leisurely but they have to become soldiers in order to protect their

freedom. Contemplation comes in this point. If the rulers knowledge of

war and strategy is impecable, then his army is most likely to win the war

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but all parts of the state must include themselves in this war in order to

protect their freedom. If we say that contemplation only bring happiness,

then not acting should bring happiness too but it is not the case here since

a slave can not be happy, therefore contemplative life does not lead one

to the happiness but despair and misery.

Knowing the road and walking on it is different but they are both

precious because without knowing where to go one will be lost but by not

walking the road, one can not reach the end therefore, both contemplation

and acting on virtue is necessary to reach the ultimate goal of life which is

happiness.

WORKS CITED

- Aristotle, Nichomechian Ethics. Oxford World Classics.

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