Marlies Klekner-Alt
We are responsible for our own happiness because happiness is not a means to an end, but
an end in itself. But what is happiness? Philosophers tend to disagree when it comes to defining
what happiness is. Some argue that happiness is a clear and obvious good, such as pleasure,
wealth, or honor, while others argue that happiness may be identified at different times with
different things (1095a5-25). It is for the end, however, that all actions and choices are done,
because happiness is the ultimate end of all actions. Therefore, that which is pursued for the end
in itself is more final than that which is pursued for the sake of something else. This same
analogy can be applied to happiness, for happiness is never chosen for the sake of something
else, but rather chosen as a final end (1097a25-1095b5). For example, intelligence, pleasure and
honor are partly chosen due to our belief that through them we will find happiness, however,
