Page "Eudaimonia" Paragraph 1

Discussion of the links between virtue of character ( ethikē aretē ) and happiness ( eudaimonia ) is one of the central preoccupations of ancient ethics, and a subject of much disagreement.

As a result there are many varieties of eudaimonism.

Two of the most influential forms are those of Aristotle and the Stoics.

Aristotle takes virtue and its exercise to be the most important constituent in eudaimonia but does acknowledge the importance of external goods such as health, wealth, and beauty.

By contrast, the Stoics make virtue necessary and sufficient for eudaimonia and thus deny the necessity of external goods.