Final answer:
Aristotle indeed holds that happiness, or eudaimonia, is the virtuous activity of the soul, with a true flourishing life being achieved through the cultivation of virtues and accompanied by genuine friendships and other external goods.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Aristotle, happiness is indeed a virtuous activity of the soul, so the correct answer to the question is a) True. Aristotle's conception of happiness, which he refers to as eudaimonia, is not a simple feeling of pleasure or temporary satisfaction but rather a state of flourishing that encompasses one's entire life, achieved through living virtuously.
To reach eudaimonia, one must cultivate virtues, which are excellent or praiseworthy character traits, aligning with the unique function of human beings—rationality. Virtues are developed through consistent practice and habituation, which enable individuals to make the better choice in various situations.
Beyond personal virtuous development, Aristotle also recognizes the importance of friendship and external goods, which contribute to a flourishing life.
Nicomachean Ethics explores these ideas, emphasizing that the flourishing life (eudaimonia) is lived by someone who actively pursues virtue, rather than someone who experiences momentary pleasures or accrues material wealth alone.