Buddhism and Aristotle

Abstract

In spite of their different social and cultural contexts there are many formal parallels between the ideal of human perfection conceived by the Buddha and that envisaged by Aristotle. Both regard human nature as a complex of intellectual and emotional factors and consider that the final good for man lies in the full development of his potential in these two dimensions. For both, again, this is a gradual, cumulative process. The state of perfection finally reached — nirvana for Buddhism and eudaemonia for Aristotle — is characterised by happiness and is the final goal of human endeavour.

For often we think about things in India

Aristotle, MM: 1899.21

For Aristotle only the wise are virtuous and only the virtuous wise

Anthony Kenny, Aristotle’s Theory of the Will, p. 80