Money, a Means for Meaning

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics- Book 1 Chapter 5b

This is a rendition of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics for contemporary readers.
Brief, understandable pieces with a short practice to integrate the wisdom into your life.
No philosophical background necessary.

Money is a constant human obsession since time immemorial. In this short piece Aristotle helps give some clarity on cultivating the proper relationship to money.

Only an unreasonable person would consider wealth the ultimate good. Money is useful for accessing goods. But people often get confused. They relate to money as if it is an end in itself. But you can’t do anything with money except buy things! You cannot eat the number in your bank account! It had no direct use. 

What use is money, if money isn't put to use?

But it’s still not enough to know that money is a means. We must investigate what is the good use of money. 

And so rats push the pleasure lever until they die of brain waste. They use any means for base pleasure, spiraling into a repulsive self-destruction. A paranoid, however, would spend it all to erect walls to the heavens to defend himself from any potential pain. For many the greatest good is safety, even at the expense of life.

How would a divine man spend his money? 

Theoretical inquiry is not complete until the abstract ideas have been clothed in concrete reality. If you want this knowledge to truly influence your life, do this practice. Spend your time well, by investing it in living well.

Practice: 

• What is the best money you've ever spent? Can you replicate that?

• If nothing comes to mind go buy someone a gift that will deepen your relationship with them.