An Examination of the Contemplative Life and Social Relationships in Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle has contributed tremendously to the realm of moral ethics by theorizing the happy and fulfilling life. In his representative work, Nicomachean Ethics, he explains the role virtue plays in consolidating that kind of life. While scholars have conducted countless kinds of literature in understanding how significant having an excellent character is towards achieving well-being, there seems to be a lack of interest in interpreting Book X of NE, which specifically talks about a contemplative life built on self-sufficiency and meaningful social relationships. Although the two concepts appear contradictory on the surface, in this essay, I argue that they are neatly coherent and compatible with each other. I aim to clarify this subtle relationship to further emphasize how practical and well-thought-out Aristotle's philosophy is, and consequently, why it deserves to be read and examined by us to this very day.