A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Aristotle’s Ethics

press release: The Department of Philosophy-UW Madison is proud to present Professor Paula Gottlieb's lecture on A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Aristotle’s Ethics.

The Declaration of Independence hails the importance of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, but what is the happiness that is to be pursued? If happiness is whatever any particular individual thinks it is, then why should a lawgiver pay attention to that if it does not harmonize with others’ good? But if happiness is objective, what is it? To answer these questions Professor Gottlieb will take the audience on a tour of Aristotle’s ethical theory from the traits of character required to be happy to the type of friendship needed for a happy life. In sum, Aristotle argues that the decisive factor in being happy is ethically good activity. Therefore, according to Aristotle, the pursuit of happiness, far from being selfish, should be congenial to others’ pursuit of their happiness also.