" (Aristotle book.1, chapter. 7) In order to better clarify the term happiness, Aristotle rebukes others' opinions regarding it. One belief identifies happiness as bodily pleasure, which Aristotle considers to be "vulgar", "slavish" and only "suitable to beasts" (Aristotle book.1 chapter.5). He thinks that this human life has higher ends than this primitive goal. Another belief claims that honor is the greatest good instead. However, Aristotle thinks that honor is superficial as it's a recognition of goodness, thus depending more on the person giving the award rather than the person receiving it. In addition to the aforementioned claims, He equates goodness with performing one's function well. Aristotle attaches a function that is unique to human beings: rational activity and that is also the soul's activity based on the premise that human's function is the activity of the soul. When actions are completed well, virtues are expressed accordingly through the soul's activity. Therefore, the highest good, happiness, "turns out to be an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, and if there are more than one virtue, in accordance with the best and most complete." (Aristotle book.1, chapter. 7).
In order to act in accordance with virtue and attain happiness, man must achieve the "golden mean". According to Aristotle's account of virtue in book 2 of Nicomachean Ethics, he divides virtue into two categories: intellectual virtues and moral virtues. Since intellectual virtues such as skills and expertise are developed through constant training and not concerned with human characters, the idea of temperament doesn't apply. On the other hand, moral virtues are concerned with human characters, feelings and desires. Aristotle believes that this kind of virtue cannot be taught by conventional means such as through discussions in a classroom. Instead, moral excellence is developed through habits and constant practice of these habits from a young age.