The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle

The Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle is one of the central works of ancient moral philosophy. Aristotle investigates what it means to live well and argues that happiness is the highest human good. He defines happiness not as pleasure alone, but as a life of rational activity in accordance with virtue. The work discusses courage, temperance, justice, friendship, practical wisdom, and moral education. Aristotle explains that virtue is formed through habit and lies between harmful extremes. The book remains a major influence on ethical theory and ideas of human flourishing.