Man has a function. That function is reason. A man is happiest when he performs his function well. Happiness is the best good. Therefore, the good life is a life in which reason is used well. Although the words are new the ideas are old. Aristotle’s writing in his Nicomachean Ethics sparked much debate centered on his concept of the best life. Aristotle writes that the function that is the activity of mans life …showed first 75 words of 781 total…

…showed last 75 words of 781 total…not allowed to exercise their reason. Many people would say that they are happy. While most wish for more material goods countless examples abound of people who are happy despite living in comparative poverty. This leads to the conclusion that since happiness is not solely dependent on material goods it must come from somewhere within a man. It is convincing after a reading of Aristotle that the reason could be the seat of mans happiness.