"Happy Hour" Was Not What Aristotle Had In Mind

The Greek philosopher Aristotle would have agreed with Webster's definition of happiness as "well being and contentment."

Aristotle chose an absolutely beautiful Greek word for this state: eudaimonia, which literally means "having a good spirit or soul." As opposed to pleasure, having a good soul has an ethical dimension to it, but "Happy Hour" Was Not What Aristotle Had In Mind

The ancient Greeks loved their wine and Aristotle enjoyed a "happy hour" with his friends and students every day. His most famous student, Alexander the Great, and his Macedonian warriors were far too fond of drink. But from those bliss-filled Elysian Fields Aristotle reminds us that it is easy to gratify our senses, but it is difficult to develop the virtues necessary for true happiness.