In investigating Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, it is important to remember that just like the Physics, it is a teleological view, not on the natural world, but on human nature, the end (telos) of which is the "good." Everything that humans do is aimed at some end, and this end can either have intrinsic or extrinsic worth. This is to say that the acts of humans can either be done for themselves (intrinsic) or can be done as a means to something else (extrinsic). The underlying goal of all our action, Aristotle calls the "good", but along with the "good," comes happiness. For Aristotle, then, all humans are just trying to be happy. (Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics)

The good life, then, is a life of happiness. Aristotle says such a life can be achieved by excellence (arete) in two areas of virtue: intellectual and moral. Fi

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Augustine addressed himself articulately and passionately to the persistent questions that stirred the minds and hearts of men since time began. The Confessions tells a story in the form of a long conversion with God. Through this conversion to Catholic Christianity, Augustine encounters many aspects of love. These forms of love help guide him towards an ultimate relationship with God. His restless heart finally finds peace and rest in God at the end of The Confessions. (Augustine, Confessions)

Specifically, for Aristotle, the best way to come close to achieving the perfect "good" is to act as a seeker of truth. The philosopher is the way to go according to Aristotle, and by being a philosopher and seeking the truth, happiness will be achieved. (Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics)

rst, we will have to analyze moral virtue in order to understand fully the notion of intellectual virtue. More or less, for Aristotle, the life of moral virtue, not being an exact science, is a life of moderation. This is a common theme with most all the ancient philosophers and authors (especially the playwrights). It is practical wisdom which is not "a priori," but rather it is a learned trade which varies from situation to situation; it can not be taught, it must be learned from experience. What, then, exactly is moral virtue? It is acting in accordance with our nature and our striving towards the "good," by means of moderate actions in everyday life. Knowing this practical type of reason, we can now examine the theoretical type of reason, intellectual virtue. (Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics)

Augustine talks of many different forms of love. One form that he talks about and demonstrates many times in The Confessions is the desire to love and to be loved,

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