Human Nature and Human Society in the "Nicomachean Ethics"

This book reviews Aristotle's theories regarding the pursuit of virtue in individuals and in society in the Nicomachean Ethics, and how the aspiration towards right action of individuals has an interactive and beneficial impact on the community as a whole. Scholars do not agree on where the name for the Nicomachean Ethics comes from. Both Aristotle's father and his son were named Nicomachus, so it is possible that the book is dedicated to either one. Other scholars suggest that Aristotle's son may have edited the book after Aristotle died, so that the title "Nicomachean" may refer to this particular edition of Aristotle's ethical works. Happiness is the highest good and the end, at which all our activities ultimately aim. All our activities aim at some end, though most of these ends are the means toward other ends. For example, we go grocery shopping to buy food, but buying food is itself a means toward the end of eating well and thriftily. Eating well and thriftily is also not an end in itself, but a means to other ends. Only happiness is an end in itself, so it is the ultimate end, at which all our activities aim.