Happiness is a term that generally has different definitions. Some define happiness as the things one possesses; others may define it as the performance of a good deed and the feeling one gets after performing a good deed. Merriam-Webster defines happiness as “a state of well-being and contentment.” Even Aristotle recognizes that not everyone agrees on the definition of happiness because we all have different thought processes and prior knowledge. Although there are many definitions of happiness, Aristotle and John Stuart Mill take a similar approach when attempting to define happiness in their books. Aristotle and Mill discuss their theories of happiness and pleasure, as well as their view of virtue in ethics and its relationship to happiness. Aristotle and Mill may have written at different times and did not necessarily have the same beliefs, but both philosophers took a similar stance when defining happiness. Aristotle was born in 384 BCE and died in 322 BCE. There is no exact date when Aristotle completed the Nicomachean Ethics, but many believe it was written around 350-340 BCE. Aristotle was both a scientist and a philosopher. Some of Aristotle's discussions within Nicomachean Ethics were approached from a biological perspective. Even though Aristotle writes a book on ethics, many topics in Nicomachean Ethics are political. The ultimate thing that Aristotle was trying to do in Nicomachean Ethics was to examine the lives of virtuous human beings. Hundreds of years later, John Stuart Mill published his novel, On Liberty and Utilitarianism. John Stuart Mill practiced utilitarianism, “the belief that a morally good action is that which helps the greatest number of people.” Mill uses the idea of ​​"greater... middle of paper..." Aristotle and Mill when defining happiness, they have similar ways of approaching the subject of happiness. It is possible that Mill is responding to Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics from a utilitarian point of view. Aristotle and Mill agreed that man has a greater capacity for happiness and reason. Although they have many similarities, Aristotle and Mill have many differences. Overall, Mill believed that a person achieved happiness through experiencing pleasure or the absence of pain. While Aristotle believed that happiness came from living to one's full potential and living purposefully. Works Cited “Happiness”. Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, nd Web. November 21, 2013. Shields, Christopher. “Aristotle”. Stanford University. Stanford University, September 25, 2008. Web. November 21, 2013. “Utilitarianism.” Merriam Webster. Merriam-Webster, nd Web. November 21. 2013.