Aristotle's view of pleasure is not a hedonist one, as commonly understood. While he recognizes pleasure as a natural good, he argues that it is not the ultimate goal of human life. Instead, Aristotle believes that true happiness (eudaimonia) lies in the pursuit of virtue and living a life of excellence.
Aristotle critiques the hedonist philosophy of Eudoxus of Cnidus, which argues that pleasure is the ultimate good. He argues that pleasure is a by-product of virtuous activity, not an end in itself. For example, the pleasure experienced by a musician while playing music is not the primary goal, but rather a consequence of engaging in their craft with skill and excellence.
Furthermore, Aristotle differentiates between higher and lower pleasures. He believes that higher pleasures, derived from virtuous activity, are more valuable and satisfying than lower pleasures, which are often fleeting and superficial. The pleasure experienced by a person engaged in intellectual contemplation or acts of kindness, for example, is considered a higher pleasure than the pleasure derived from satisfying a simple physical desire.
Therefore, while Aristotle acknowledges the importance of pleasure, he does not endorse hedonism as the ultimate ethical principle. He sees pleasure as a consequence of living a virtuous life and achieving eudaimonia, which is the ultimate goal of human existence.
