Human function as it relates to happinessHumans have a function, according to Aristotle, and so it would follow that fulfilling that function makes us happy. Before we can establish that achieving a goal results in happiness, we must first establish what human function actually is, as well as what constitutes good and happiness for humans. Aristotle's arguments for happiness and human purpose help provide answers to these questions, although, as with all philosophical topics, some disagree. To begin evaluating human function and determining whether or not it brings happiness, one must define function and what constitutes human function. occur. The dictionary definition of function is “an activity that is natural or the purpose of something” (Oxford, 1978). We might therefore assume that since all parts of the human body have specific functions contributing to the whole, it would be appropriate that the whole must also serve a function. Having established that humans have a function, the debate is open about the real nature of that function. Aristotle believed that everything has a telos, which he included as the fourth of its four causes, final causality. Final causation is essentially the answer to the question “what is the goal or end of X?” What is X for? Aristotle's conclusion that everything has a telos explains why things have the characteristics and properties that they do. However, it can be difficult to isolate the main functions. Animals have nutrition, growth and sensory perception as characteristics in order to accomplish the function of survival. Humans share these characteristics with animals and therefore they cannot constitute our functions. As Aristotle defines humans as animals capable of ra...... middle of paper ......ct of life that does this, it is reason.BibliographyAristotle; Bartlett, R.C., Collins, S.D. (2011). Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Asselin, D.T. (1987). Human nature and “eudaimonia” in Aristotle. Wisconsin: Marquette University. McDowell, J. H. (1998). "The role of eudaimonia in Aristotle's ethics". In spirit, value and reality. Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. Reeve, CDC (2012). Action, contemplation and happiness: an essay on Aristotle. Massachusetts: Harvard University Press Sykes, J. B. (1978). The Pocket Oxford Dictionary of Current English (6th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Trigg, R. (1999). Ideas about human nature: a historical introduction (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell. Whiting, J. (1988). Aristotle's functional argument: a defense. Ancient Philosophy, 8.1, 33-48. doi: 10.5840/ancienphil19888119