Dallas Adams, Mid-term Series Spongebob and Philosophy pt. 1: Is Spongebob the Modern Day Aristotelian Example of Happiness?

Spongebob is always happy. Sound familiar? In a segment we read about Aristotle this past semester, his theory for our general purpose is "doing well." Coincidentally, it is also mentioned in the book Spongebob Squarepants and Philosophy: Soaking Up Secrets Under The Sea! 

Spongebob Squarepants and Philosophy: Soaking Up Secrets Under The Sea!

Happiness, as it is to Aristotle, is an ultimate goal by all human beings. To Aristotle, happiness isn't anything far beyond reach, but is only the notion of "living well." Who doesn't want to live well? We're all in school, not because we want to pay MTSU for our education, or that we even want to be sitting in a classroom for four-plus years of our lives. Why do we do this? Because we want to get a degree. We want a degree in order to have a stable living, and make more money than the average American with no degree. Let us all live happily in our big, fancy mansions, with our new shiny luxury cars, and have a maid (or two!) in order to "live well." Can I get an amen????

Aristotle defines happiness into two categories: vice and virtue. Vice is an extreme where it is acted upon by excess or deficiency. They use Mr. Krabs as an example of excess. If you've never watched the show, Mr. Krabs is a red crab who is unhealthily greedy for money. His happiness depends on how much money he makes and his sadness revolves around how much money he's wasting or giving to his daughter, Pearl (who is a whale??). Vice in times of deficiency is defined by Patrick's lack of knowledge (which I don't completely understand). I guess that since he's happy with being naieve, that's not good to Aristotle. I have no clue. But regardless, vice in either way is unaacptable as a way to find happiness. Virtue, however, is described as a muscle. It is something that needs to be "exercised" on a regular basis and will detriorate and turn to vice if not.

A few illustrations of Mr. Krabs' unhealthy infatuation for money.

 

Our will to get through school should be a virtue, not a vice. It is our duty to make sure we are well educated in order to get through life, not to make enough money to pay extravagant bills. Often times, we as humans get vice and virtue confused. We see a want as a necessity in order to make our lives complete, but happiness comes from the inside. You can leave MTSU with a degree and a better chance to make more money, but will you truly be happy or will you want to make even more money? Chances are the latter. If we take the Aristotelian route and exercise our virtue by being self-sufficient, we won't matter about shallow, materialistic matters such as money. Spongebob gets paid far below minimum wage (due to his boss, Mr. Krabs' greed) and is still the happiest cartoon character we know. I say this to verify Aristotle and say that materials don't deem you happy, happiness comes from within.