Can We All Be Happy?

Early in the class, while offering an outline of Aristotle's ethics, an idea came up that I think bears some close examination. It was mentioned that not all people DO live up to an ethical or moral ideal, and indeed it is questionable whether or not we CAN. This leads me to ponder the very nature of human happiness and excellence.

In particular, an issue I have always pondered is in relation to the opposition of good and evil. Specifically, can there be one without the other? Can people be good if there is not evil to oppose the good? Can people be happy if there is not sadness, incompleteness, or whatever one might describe as happiness' opposite, to provide a measure by which we can evaluate one's happiness?

I am almost inclined to put forward that perhaps some measure of suffering is not only inevitable, but indeed required, to stand in opposition to the good, and thus validate the good. I am sure that many of you will be more than happy to oppose me on this point, and I eagerly await reactions to this proposition -- that there MUST be suffering as an essential part of the good.

Introduction

Greetings, fellow Lincoln ethicists. I shall offer a brief introduction here for those who may not have had a class with me before. My name is Edward Manak. I am technically a super-senior, though this is only my 7th semester at MCLA (this is the result of a number of summer and winter courses, as well as AP credits). My major is whatever the university writes on my BA when I finish (I have changed it so often that I can no longer be certain what my major is, though I suspect Philosophy, English, and Underwater Basket Weaving are involved). My ultimate goal is to incite a Communist revolution in the United States.