pursuit of happiness

[Athena]

Jefferson wrote of the pursuit of happiness. Surely he was literate in the classics, Aristotle and Cicero.

Aristotle writes,

"If, as we have declared, it is our activities that give life its character, then no happy man can become miserable, inasmuch as he will never do what is hateful or base. For we hold that truly good and wise man will bear with dignity whatever fortune sends, and will always make the best of his circumstances, as a good general makes the most effective use of the forces at his command, and a good shoemaker makes the best shoes out of the leather that is available, and so in the case of the other crafts. On this interpretation, the happy man can never become miserable- although of course he will not be blessed with happiness in the full sense of the word if he meets with such a fate as Priam's.... Since happiness is a certain activity of the soul in accordance with perfect virtue, we must next examine the nature of virtue.....By human virtue we mean virtue not of the body but of the soul, and by happiness too we mean an activity of soul....." Wheelwright's Aristotle

[brisbane buddy]

I believe many people are literate in the classic philosophers, albeit each is subject to their own interpretation of what they meant and what they want the words to mean.

People will find whatever they are looking for in any given thing.

Cheers.

[Athena]

Quote by: brisbane buddy I believe many people are literate in the classic philosophers, albeit each is subject to their own interpretation of what they meant and what they want the words to mean. People will find whatever they are looking for in any given thing. Cheers.

And you wanted to say what about the pursuit of happiness, and its connection to the soul and virtues? The subject essential to our understanding of democracy as an ideology of relationships.