Kitap 1
1
Most of the points debated and the difficulties raised will be clear if it be satisfactorily determined what the proper conception of happiness is—does it consist merely in a person’s possessing some particular quality of spirit,The word ψυχή, usually rendered soul, has no term exactly corresponding to it in English, as it denotes the whole vitality of a living creature, with the unconscious factors of nutrition and growth as well as conscious feelings or emotions and thoughts. as some of the sages and the older thinkers held, or although a particular personal character is indeed an indispensable condition, is a particular quality of conduct even more necessary?
2
There are various different modes of life, and some do not lay any claim to well-being of the kind under consideration, but are pursued merely for the sake of things necessary—for instance the lives devoted to the vulgar and mechanic arts and those dealing with business (by vulgar arts I mean those pursued only for reputation, by mechanic the sedentary and wage-earning pursuits, and by arts of business those concerned with market purchase and retail selling); but on the other hand, the things related to the happy conduct of life being three, the things already mentionedSee Aristot. Eud. Eth. 1214a 30-b 5. as the greatest possible goods for men—goodness, wisdom and pleasure, we see that there are also three ways of life in which those to whom fortune gives opportunityPerhaps the Greek should be emended to give those who happen to be in power. invariably choose to live, the life of politics,i.e. active citizenship: statesmanship is too lofty a term. the life of philosophy, and the life of enjoyment.
3
Of these the philosophic life denotes being concerned with the contemplation of truth, the political life means being occupied with honorable activities (and these are the activities that spring from goodness), and the life of enjoyment is concerned with the pleasures of the body.
