Final answer:
Aristotle believes contemplation is the means to achieve happiness, as it allows individuals to engage in virtuous activities, leading to a flourishing life of eudaimonia.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Aristotle, the statement that best describes the relationship between happiness and contemplation is that contemplation is the means to achieve happiness (A). In Aristotle's ethical framework, happiness, or eudaimonia, is regarded as the ultimate purpose of human life, which one can achieve through the cultivation of virtues. Contemplation, in Aristotle's view, is the highest form of activity and is essential for achieving the highest good, which is a flourishing life characterized by happiness. For Aristotle, contemplation enables one to engage in philosophical thought and virtues, leading to a deep sense of fulfillment and eudaimonia. Unlike incidental friendships based on pleasure or utility that do not necessarily contribute to our happiness, contemplative activity aligned with the cultivation of virtues provides a pathway towards authentic happiness.