It's unfortunate that the Greek word eudamonia, which is the one Aristotle used, gets translated into English as "happiness", which is open to so many misunderstandings, particularly in our current culture. There isn't really a single English word that means "being a good human being". "Virtue" or "virtuousness" might once have served, but I think its connotations have shifted in a way that makes it no longer suitable for expressing the concept that Aristotle had in mind.
I’ve wondered at times if this is partially due to cultural changes. We’re less interested in prosocial traits and how we fit into social hierarchies/personal duties and more interested in personal happiness or gratification.
I’m not sure. It appears this way from what I read, but it’s hard to know having not been alive 2000 years ago.
