Aristotle's understanding of justice and happiness

The aim of this thesis is to examine and explain the relationship between Aristotle's concepts of justice and happiness within the framework of his political and moral theories. Aristotle's moral philosophy is a continuation of his political philosophy. In order to understand his political philosophy, first of all, it is necessary to examine and examine the society that underlies it, namely the individuals. It is not possible to understand political philosophy without understanding moral philosophy and its concepts. While Aristotle seeks answers to the questions of what happiness is and which lifestyle will bring happiness with his moral philosophy, he explains the institutions and structures that will make the lifestyle necessary for happiness possible with his political philosophy. Justice is a virtue of character. Virtue is a trait. Justice in itself is a virtue, but in relation to other people it is a social virtue. Justice is the foundation of the state. Because justice makes the state permanent by providing social order. According to Aristotle, the highest and ultimate goal of man is to attain happiness. Happiness is the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue. People can achieve happiness by doing virtuous actions. However, one cannot achieve happiness alone. Due to the fact that human being is not self-sufficient and he is a zoon politikal animal that is, a social and political animal he needs to live in a society. Man can attain happiness only in the state, which is a political community. Since the state is a self-sufficient structure, it provides the necessary conditions for the individual to reach happiness. Happiness is the ultimate goal of both the individual and the state. The state gives the opportunity to reach happiness only by providing justice. Justice and happiness are two complementary concepts. Justice is a prerequisite for happiness. In a state where justice is established, only people find the opportunity to reach happiness. Happiness, on the other hand, can be reached with the activity of theory, which is the activity of the intelligent side of the soul. For this reason, Aristotle's moral philosophy is the morality of happiness and the concept of justice is at the core of his political philosophy. Keywords: Happiness, Justice, Virtue, Good, State, Constitution