Is there difference with the nature of happiness expounded by Aristitle and that by of St. Thomas Aquinas?

Question

similarities anyone? thanks..

Answer 1

Aristotle believed that happiness came from living a good life, which was achieved by having a balance, not having excess or deficiency, and what is balance can differ from person to person, situation to situation, he did feel that one mastered things by doing them, rather then by just reasoning, so he felt the human was to a great extent in control of his self, and he reached his goals by his actions, including the goal of happiness

St. Thomas felt the ultimate happiness was unity with God, which is reached upon death, but the route to it was the acts done here on earth, the striving for virtue, he felt many things were in the realm of mans understanding, without divine help, so he also thought actions here on earth lead to the goal of ultimate happiness

Answer 2

I'm not at all sure about Thomas Aquinas. What did he say about happiness?

Aristotle said that we all want to achieve happiness, and there are 3 main ways to achieving it: honour, pleasure and wealth. But because all of these deal with the material world, they do not create lasting happiness. The secret was to take the philosopher's path and search for those things that are immaculatly non-material. If that can be achieved, then happiness is achieved.

It sounds to me that Aristotle and Budhism have a lot in common. Assuming the Aquinas was about spiritual development, my guess is that he would have said something like "the closer you get to God, the happier you are". It seems that is true enough, but as I said, I don't know enough about him to make a valid judgement.

Answer 3

In Aquinas's thought, the goal of human existence is union and eternal fellowship with God. Specifically, this goal is achieved through the beatific vision, an event in which a person experiences perfect, unending happiness by comprehending the very essence of God. This vision, which occurs after death, is a gift from God given to those who have experienced salvation and redemption through Christ while living on earth.
Aristotle's nature of happiness was described above.
Thus, we can see that they greatly differ.

Answer 4

For Aristotle, happiness is a distinctly natural phenomena that is achieved in the fulfillment of the purpose of one's essential nature in accord with the virtues of prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. Aquinas would accept this, but adds the fulfillment of one's essential nature in terms of heavenly beatitude-- to be truly happy means communion with God. Our participation in this grace is accomplished by our participation in the theological virtues of faith, hope and love.