Yes, Aristotle did say that happiness is complete in itself; he is saying that the ultimate goal in the end is happiness, but in order for us to reach this final goal we must exercise virtues because happiness depends on the cultivation of virtue. The word happiness can be a misleading word because we usually conceive happiness in a subjective mind, such as having a cold beer on a hot day of some hot cocoa on a cold day. For Aristotle, happiness is the end goal which sums up one’s total life. In order to reach this ultimate end, our actions must be self-sufficient and final, “For we always choose it because of itself, never because of something else” (Hackett 8). Aristotle claims that most people would agree that happiness is the end and that it must meet all the requirements.
In many respects, Priam is a man torn between various imperatives. Even though he is the symbol of Troy and aware of the importance of adhering to ceremonial display, he actually feels very vulnerable as an aging mortal. Furthermore, while he loves his family and is desperate to fulfill his parental duties to Hector, he feels remote from them. In addition, even though part of him believes strongly in the gods, he also believes in chance and carving his own destiny. On the other hand, the one aspect where Priam is not divided is his wholehearted commitment to Troy and its defence.
(AOW, 209) As Epictetus says in his Manual, everything has a price and the price of happiness is personal detachment from the outside world. (AOW, 210) Self-discipline in Stoicism must always be in active pursuit and seeking anything other than self-discipline would cause “avoidable unhappiness.” Stoics believed that unhappiness stemmed from one’s own negative attitude and confusion in thought of what was under one’s control or not as well as excessively desiring material goods. They also believed that one’s attitude determined one’s happiness and that one’s own attitude is self-caused. Stoicism states that in order to have great character, one must go through great struggles. (AOW, 211) Stoics believed that one’s life was fated but free will remains and to control our attitudes, one must choose appropriate actions aligned with our fate.
Not that life is bad, but that the physical pleasures and physical reality are less than divine. The best conditions include those that are free from distraction. While the ascetic priest is essentially denying life, he is actually preserving the life that he cherishes so much. The ascetic priest desires power and believes that “this life is an illusion”. Nietzsche says, in his second essay, the primary objection to ascetic ideals is that ascetic priests must deny the value of this life; he portrays it as a link to the next life, rather than appreciating life as an end in itself.
The character Peter Keating embodies altruism and only feels he shouldn’t exist for his own sake but the services that he receives from others reason for existing is for fame and approval for others. Peter Keating lives off of his good looks, success and people around him. To have resources to only justify his own existence, self- sacrifice is only his highest right of responsibility, benefit, and importance. Peter will do whatever it takes to succeed in this world even if it means stealing, lying, or Killing. "He had forgotten his first building, and the fear and doubt of its birth.
The difference between an uncritical egoistic hedonist and Epicurus is what outcome is being sought after. Uncritical hedonists base their selections on whatever will give them the most pleasure at that moment. Epicurus, and other rational/critical egoistic hedonists base their choices on what will lead to the most pleasure (or least amount of pain) in the future. According to his philosophy, the only way to attain long-term pleasure is to practice the virtues of simplicity and prudence in every aspect of life. Epicurus believed one must understand the desires that motivate him to attain peace of mind.
[Title] [Introduction] [Nick] In The Great Gatsby the character Nick Carraway acts as the narrator. He starts the story off by comparing himself to the world. He claims to be a moral person who can resist the urge to judge the people around him because if he holds them up to his own moral standards, his expectations will be too high for them. He even goes as far to say that the world would be better if everyone thought as he did and withheld their judgments about their peers. Now, even though Nick is the storyteller, this arrogant self-description shows that he is not reliable due the fact that he thinks of himself as superior to the masses.
Albert Camus presents an unorthodox and absurdist approach towards analyzing “The Myth of Sisyphus”. He deems Sisyphus as an absurdist hero in an attempt to convey an absurdist philosophy of life. The myth entails an idea that life ultimately has no meaning, and in order to achieve happiness in life we must accept the meaningless of life. If we are devoid of hope to achieve something preferable compared to our current position in life, then we will live in pleasure. If we accept in the end, that there is no preferable meaning of life that is to be attained, then we can accept our fate without grief.
Okonkwo’s fate is determined through his own free will of actions. Okonkwo’s fear of being like his father leads him to work harder for his fame and wealth. Okonkwo’s manliness brings him to fame and because of his determination to be different from his lazy father; he shows no emotion other than anger. To Okonkwo, free will is what he believes in; your actions attribute to your own fate and can change depending on your determination. In the Umuofia clan, to change your luck, you must work hard through all odds; Okonkwo’s sheer will to change his fate of being like his father takes Okonkwo’s emotion.
This is one of many examples of how Achilles, an honorable and feared man, indulges in selfish behaviors because of the power he holds above others and his fear of losing the glory he feels only he deserves. By using others to help him fulfill his desires, he is not showing true loyalty to his community but rather using them to satisfy his own rage. Achilles' anger only