How Aristotle Helped Me Understand Elizabeth Goudge

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm reading through Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics this year, and have found it to be surprisingly accessible. In Book Ten, he addresses the subject of pleasure and asks if pleasure is the "Chief Good." After all, everyone, from the most irrational to the most rational, seeks it. But just because everyone wants it, does that make it the best thing for us? Some are even inclined to call it one of the "least" goods because we can so easily become enslaved to it. So where does Arisotle land on this issue?

Back in Book One, he proposed that the highest good is actually "the working of the soul." And he continues that emphasis in Book Ten with a discussion about what brings true happiness. And (surprise!) it's not a life of unending pleasure. He proposes that the values of our pleasures rise and fall with the activity with which they are joined. Pleasure is therefore a necessary element in the best life, but it is not the principal ingredient.The value of life depends upon the nature and worth of the activity with which our pleasures are connected.

In contrast to hedonism (a relentless pursuit of pleasure), he advocates for eudaimonia (the ability to live well, to flourish), which includes virtuous activity in accordance with reason.

What does all this have to do with Elizabeth Goudge? I've been thinking a lot about her novels and of how often they lack the feel-good, happily-ever-after endings that most readers crave. Many times her characters set aside their personal desires and pleasures to do the hard thing. They shore up their souls to live a deeper, truer life. So the endings are always happy in the Aristotelian sense.

My next post will cover my favorite Goudge titles in case you are wondering where to start.

P.S. I read this book in bite-sized chunks (15 minutes a day, 4 times a week) and it took nine months. I took copious notes so that the ideas would have a better chance of "sticking" in my brain. I'm grateful for my dear husband who patiently listened to my ruminations over many an early morning breakfast. 

Blessings,