Final answer:
Aristotle posits that happiness, or eudaimonia, is the ultimate goal of human life, achieved through living virtuously and cultivating good character. He also emphasizes the importance of social relationships and friendships in achieving a flourishing life. The best life is a balance between virtuous acts and nurturing strong character-based friendships.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aristotle's Concept of Happiness and the Best Life
Aristotle argues that happiness is the ultimate good of human action and that virtue is necessary for happiness. This conception of happiness is more accurately termed eudaimonia, which is understood as 'flourishing' rather than a fleeting emotional state.
For Aristotle, the purpose of human existence is to achieve eudaimonia by living a life that fulfills its natural function, which involves the cultivation of virtues—habits of character that help determine the preferable action in any given situation.
The best life, according to Aristotle, is one where individuals develop their virtues and live in accordance with them. However, virtuous development alone is not sufficient for a flourishing life. Social relationships and friendships are also considered necessary for well-being, as humans are inherently social beings.
In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle dedicates significant attention to the role of friendships in a flourishing life, discussing three types of friendships: friendships of pleasure, friendships of utility, and friendships of character.
He emphasizes that friendships based on character, where individuals appreciate and desire the good for one another, are essential to living a good life. These relationships, along with virtuous actions, contribute to the overall well-being and help one to live a fulfilling and flourishing life, which is the essence of eudaimonia.