Happiness

          The goal of life is to ultimately be happy. This week in class we learn about "Eudaimonia" and what some people think happiness is.  Some believe happiness is honor and even money.  Honor does not depict happiness because Honor is dependent on what others think of you.  Let's say you are in class and the teacher is a strict, grouchy old woman; when the woman goes home, she is greeted by her grandkids and she does everything she can for them and is one of the most loving people towards them.  The students would think she is a mean and miserable individual, the grandkids would think she is the nicest and loving grandmother that they love.  Basically, honor is superficial, therefore happiness cannot be depicted through honor.  Wealth cannot portray happiness because it is pursued for the sake of something else.  We've all heard the saying "money doesn't buy you happiness" and it's completely true.  You can have all of the cars, houses, and money in the world and still be miserable.  Aristotle also states that you can't be happy while being poor.  I think he is a little harsh with his statement but if you are completely poor, you will have the stress of not having enough money for food, shelter and clothes.  No spectrum of wealth can project happiness but it can have the possibility to ease tensions because of it.  Aristotle asserts happiness is virtue.  Happiness is an activity of the soul in accord with the soul's proper excellence of virtue.  Throughout life, there will be hardships, but the virtuous person will be the best able to deal with adversity; happiness is shown through an individuals toughest times where their true colors will show.  Happiness is ultimately something that the individual has to decide for itself, it's not necessarily a set object for everyone and it differs from person to person.