1. How often do you make an effort to practice your strengths and virtues? (A virtue is a trait you cultivate. Ex: patience, generosity kindness). Are these traits key to a happy life? Discuss.
It is not an easy thing to practice once strengths and virtues. Because humans as we are, we are weak. Weak in the sense that we are easily attracted to temptations and bad influence that others inflicts to us. As much as possible, a small effort each day is what I try do to improve myself more and more. Being generous is one thing I am struggling with since I admit that I am just a mere egoistic person alive, I want to receive something in return to whatever I give to others. Specifically in the matters about Love. But to my friends, being generous is not that difficult. It is, for me, a case to case basis. But now I’ve learned that not everything means the worth of receiving back if it is not really meant for you. Another thing is about my patience. I can’t be patient all the times. I get easily bored and mad if I don’t get something or someone to do something I want right then and there. But somehow I have learned to exercise patience in some ways since I entered college. Being away from home and from all the resources I used to have had been so difficult for me and all I need is patience. I practiced it every time especially when it comes to allowance thingy. Because if I don’t, all I get are wrinkles and headache.
And happiness is one special word connected with all these virtues. One’s strengths may make someone happy but without the adequate exercise of virtue, these things cannot give you the ultimate happiness in the end. As what Aristotle said in one of his theory of happiness, “Happiness is not pleasure, nor is it virtue. It is the exercise of virtue.” Practicing virtues and one’s strengths should be something casual and a day to day basis since I believe that it is the key to a happy and contented life. Whoever said that living with plenty of enemies and regrets is an ideal life? The satisfaction of helping others, the contentment of sharing knowledge to someone, the joy of giving, the ecstasy of treating others well are all signs of making it to the road of a happy and wonderful life. It only depends on the individual how he brings himself out. But it is not that easy. Virtue doesn't arise naturally; it requires training and habitual action -- that we keep doing the right thing with the right motivation.
2. For some, happiness relies on money. In some cases, hacking means money. Would you do hacking it if its outcome is a sure happiness of your family? What particular Aristotle theory contradicts this concept? Discuss.
It’s difficult to take risks in life. But some are worth it. But as for hacking, it is a risk I won’t take. It is true that money is one instrument that can give someone his happiness. But it is not the source of ultimate happiness. Especially when it is not acquired in the good way. Conscience will be always there to haunt your taught and dreams. So where’s happiness in that? Even though it can bring happiness to my family, I still won’t. Surely there are other alternatives to gain money and give descent happiness to my family. There is no such thing as “no choice”. Because we are all given the freedom to choose. It only depends on how we decide for ourselves. As what a friend once told me, “Pick one and make it work!” Make something work but never do it in a manner that degrades ones morality and intellectual abilities. Since hacking requires adequate intelligence, why not use these intellectual capabilities of yours to something good. In that manner, you’ll be at peace both in mind and in heart.
For me, “Happiness requires intellectual contemplation, for this is the ultimate realization of our rational capacities.” Is the one theory of Aristotle that contradicts the concept of hacking is money. Of all the pleasures in life, contemplation is the most continuous and self-sufficient. It aims at nothing outside of itself. It realizes a divine element in us. It directs our highest activity toward the highest objects. Philosophical wisdom combined with a virtuous character is complete happiness. True, he thinks that his happiness consists in the possession of gold. But that is a mistaken judgment on his part. It has led him to do violence to his own nature and to ruin his life.
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