Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, which he is said to have dedicated to his son Nicomachus, Aristotle's guiding question is what is the best thing for a human being? His answer is happiness. Happiness he wrote, is the best, noblest, and most pleasant thing in the world; But he means not something we feel, not an emotion, but rather an especially good kind of life. Happiness is made up of activities in which we use the best human capacities, both ones that contribute to our flourishing as members of a community, and ones that allow us to engage in god-like contemplation. Contemporary ethical writings on the role and importance of the moral virtues such as courage and justice have drawn inspiration from this work, which also contains important discussions on responsibility, practical reasoning, and on the role of friendship in creating the best life.

All Editions

Paperback, 7th Edition

ISBN13: 9780140455472

Penguin Classics, 2020

Paperback, 13th Edition

ISBN13: 9780140449495

Penguin Classics, 2004

Paperback, 9th Edition

ISBN13: 9781853264610

NTC/Contemporary Publishing Company, 1997