Let’s talk Aristotle. The guy was doing some serious philosophizing back in Ancient Greece, trying to figure out what makes humans… well, human. And let’s be real, it’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves after watching people argue over pineapple on pizza.
But Aristotle wasn’t interested in those kinds of existential crises. He had bigger fish to fry. His question was: what’s the essence of a person? What is that one thing that makes us who we are?
Essence is All
When Aristotle talks about “essence,” he doesn’t mean some mystical aura that makes you smell like lavender and success. Nope. For him, essence is that one thing that defines you, your core function—what you were meant to do.
Think of it like this: a knife’s essence is to cut, a clock’s essence is to tell time, and a human’s essence, according to Aristotle, is to reason. Yes, reason. You know, that thing you’re supposed to do before you make a decision, like whether or not to binge-watch an entire Netflix series in one sitting.
To Aristotle, each living thing has a specific function. A plant’s essence is to grow and reproduce. An animal’s is to experience sensations. But humans? We hit the philosophical jackpot with rationality. Our function is to think, reason, and make decisions based on logic.
In his book Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle states,
“The function of man is an activity of soul in accordance with reason.”
Translation: you’re here to think, so start using that brain for more than just remembering useless trivia.
The Human Essence: Rationality, Baby!
Aristotle didn’t just pull the idea of rationality out of thin air. He believed that what separates humans from other living beings is our ability to use logic and make choices. It’s not that animals can’t think at all (just ask any dog who knows how to scam snacks), but we have this unique capacity to reflect, ponder, and debate, like, “Should I really eat that second slice of cake?” Aristotle would say that the moment you stop to think about it, you’re engaging in your essence.
And why did Aristotle think this function was so important? Well, because for him, doing your thing—your specific function—is the key to living a good life. A knife that can’t cut is basically useless, right? Similarly, a human who doesn’t use reason isn’t living up to their potential. Don’t be a butter knife in a steakhouse.
The Virtuous Life is a Rational Life
For Aristotle, living in line with your essence wasn’t just about flexing your mental muscles. It’s about achieving eudaimonia—the Greek word for “flourishing” or living your best life. You achieve this by practicing virtue, and what’s virtue, you ask? It’s about making decisions based on reason, not impulse. You know, like not buying another purse on a whim or deciding to drunk text your boss.
Aristotle believed that the more you exercise reason, the more virtuous you become. He’s like that friend who tells you to stop being reckless and get your life together, but in a toga.
“Happiness is an activity of the soul in accordance with perfect virtue,” Aristotle said.
Basically, the road to happiness is paved with smart decisions—and maybe fewer impulsive Amazon purchases.
So Why Did Aristotle Think Rationality Defines Us?
To wrap it up, Aristotle believed rationality defines our essence because it’s what makes us uniquely human. It’s the core function that separates us from other living things. Without it, we’d just be walking around bumping into walls, like robots on low battery. Rationality is our superpower, and it’s the key to living a life of virtue, flourishing, and yes, making fewer dumb decisions.
So, next time you find yourself trying to figure out what makes you you, channel a little Aristotle. Ask yourself, “Am I reasoning my way through life, or am I just winging it?” If it’s the latter, well, congratulations—you’ve officially let down a guy who lived over 2,000 years ago.