Aristotle on happiness as the highest goal of the state

Abstract

The paper explores the key assertion of Aristotelian "Politics" that a state is formed primarily for the good life. Aristotle's views on the essence, purpose and the best constitution of a state are analyzed in comparison with Socrates' and Plato's doctrine of an ideal state. The author investigates an Aristotelian interrelation between people's understandings of happiness and their choice of a form of government and approval of a state policy. It is demonstrated that the Aristotelian idea of a state designed for the good life entered the Western political philosophy paradigm and has exerted a determining influence on the formation of a common good notion and the concept of a welfare state. The paper concludes that the choice between "the Aristotelian state" and "the Platonic state" is not only stipulated by historical and cultural reasons, but is at the same time existential for each nation.