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Unlike Aristotle’s views that friendships, and the development of relationships is a crucial aspect to achieve happiness, she views the pathway to happiness as extremely individualistic. Friendships and love only exist to benefit the “well-being” of the person. No good exists in a relationship alone; one is unable to be genuinely happy to be a communion with another individual, he or she must only focus on the benefit that is received.
Aristotle was valid in believing that a relationship is a vital part of man’s existence and one retains a greater benefit in helping others, even if that does entail sacrifice. A fair amount of an individual’s happiness depends on the overall happiness of others.
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But she viewed 2 things as most important to happiness -- your work and your LOVE (your romantic interest). Now, romantic partners aren't exactly the same thing as friends -- but they are a relationship to others that the quote above ignores (and has to ignore, in order to retain validity).
Sure, no good exists in a relationship alone -- this is because good is not a property (it's a relation, itself -- everything is only good TO someone, and FOR some purpose). The only objective good, is instrumental good.
And sacrifices (where a higher value was given up for a lower one) don't lead to happiness, but away from it. The apparent sacrifices of right-minded folks are investments. Some folks are worth our personal investment -- because of their built character or potential. Imagine a being without potential. One where any energy you spent on them -- would be lost. There would be no happiness in a continual waste of energy on the being without potential -- and that's because your time is valuable.
Ed
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