in a life of intellectual contemplation." Such are the four opinions enumerated by Aristotle as the theories of happiness most in vogue at the time when he wrote.
14. He expresses his dissatisfaction with them all. The first is the Platonic doctrine, according to Aristotle's interpretation of it. It is too abstruse and mystical to be of any practical value. The second theory may suit brute animals, but is not applicable to man. The third is true to some extent, but is incomplete. The fourth is the truest of the four, and is adopted by Aristotle as part of his own doctrine; but it too is incomplete, and requires to be largely supplemented before it can be embraced.
15. Aristotle then proceeds to declare his own views as to the nature of happiness, and as to the way in which the inquiry after it should be conducted. To find out what man's happiness is, we must first of all, he says, find out what man's proper work, or function, or vocation is. When we have discovered this, we shall have no difficulty in discovering wherein his happiness consists. For the function which a man has to fulfil, the work which he has to do, being known, his happiness will be seen to centre in the discharge of that function, in the performance of that work.
16. We ask, then, what is man's proper work or
