Review Questions on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

Happiness means perfection by finding your place under the sun and being the best that you can be in the given circumstances. As compared with the western notion of happiness, which is hedonistic, or pleasure-seeking, For Aristotle, happiness means achieving your purpose in life. In contrast with the western notion of perfection, which is to achieve God-like status, Aristotle’s concept of perfection is to be the best that you can be in your limited space and time, yet doing your small role perfectly in the grand order of things. 
 
 Aristotle’s view of pleasure is not only physical pleasure but also emotional pleasure, and also mental and spiritual pleasure. Happiness is not only limited to pleasure-seeking but in the understanding of the greatest minds and spiritual pleasure which is found in the ideal forms. 
 
 Aristotle’s Doctrine of the Mean or Average is about not going through the extremes of either or super cold. For example, being too assertive to the point of aggression is not good, and also it's the opposite of being too timid or shy. The application of the Doctrine of the Mean, in this case, is doing what you need to do just enough for you to fulfill your purpose. 
Aristotle’s view of virtue is that it grants a person state of happiness because they are one with the universe and they know their place under the sun. Virtue is acquiring the characteristics that bring out the best from humanity. . Virtue is what grants a person the drive to continue appreciating the world and being in its service. He also speaks of Courage as one of the most important virtue, for without it, one cannot express and lead an ethical life.