The Difficulty of Reality and a Revolt against Mourning

It is internal to life that we face difficulties, obstacles, frustrations and, sometimes, adversity. For Aristotle, these need not get in the way of happiness. Indeed, they may set out the field in which happy lives are lived. Practically speaking, what it is for us to live in the world is to recognize ourselves in an environment over which we have at best very partial control, an environment that poses threats, offers opportunities, and challenges us with accidents and inevitabilities. The virtuous person will be excellent in meeting life’s challenges. This is what living well consists in. Dealing with life’s