Nicomachean Ethics

Soyo Ethics of Existence

It Is Not Imitation but Nurturing Beyond the Nicomachean Ethics

Happiness is the activity of reason, but humans are not merely rational beings. Aristotle defined the ultimate purpose of humans as ‘happiness (eudaimonia)’, stating that this happiness is the excellent activity of realizing virtue according to reason. This definition offers profound insight into the practical lives of humans living on this earth, valid for guiding humans to regulate their lives through the golden mean and practical wisdom, rather than being swayed by desires and instincts.

But Soyo asks one step further. “Is happiness achieved through rational excellence valid after death? Does a life reached by practicing the golden mean of virtue extend into eternity?” Soyo's existential ethics asserts that human existence does not attain eternity through reason.

Humans are not beings who imitate God. Humans are the very image of God. Aristotle viewed the contemplative life, where humans pursue ‘divine activity (theoria)’ and become like God, as the highest life. Yet Soyo philosophically counters this concept of ‘imitation.’ Imitation is an act of following an external model. For humans to imitate God presupposes that humans are essentially separate from God.

But existential ethics declares: “Humans are not beings made in God's image; they are beings created already bearing God's breath.” Divine attributes and character are inherent within humans, and their eternity is not an external object of contemplation but the very source of existence. Imitation is learning, but bearing is origin.

Human relationships are not the beginning of ethics, but the beginning of suffering.

Nicomachean Ethics regarded ‘friendship (Philia)’ as the communal fulfillment of ethics. Virtuous friendship, mutual respect according to reason, and happiness within the community are the beautiful conclusion of Aristotle's philosophy. But Soyo asks, is that relationship always maintained by virtue? Do human relationships complete humanity? Or are they the beginning of suffering?

Soyo's ethics of wandering existence declares: “Human relationships are not the starting point of ethics, but rather the point where the deepest pain of existence begins.” When love turns to betrayal, trust becomes wound, and friendships crumble, humans are deconstructed in despair, not philosophy. What is needed then is not rational moderation, but the confession of tears flowing at the feet of God.

Death is the shadow of human existence, an inseparable avatar of being. Aristotle defined human happiness solely within the activities of life, and death was no longer an object of ethical inquiry. But Soyo asserts: The ethics of human existence can only be completed by passing through death.

Death is not an external event for humans, but an internal structure that always clings to existence like a shadow. We are not beings walking toward death, but beings living while embracing death.

Soyo calls this death the ‘avatar of being’, the shadow that constantly follows us, ethically shaping every choice and relationship in life. Death is not an end but the trace of a door opening toward the divine. Philosophy that fails to recognize this door remains crippled, interpreting only earthly outcomes without grasping existence itself.

Humanity possesses eternity only within its relationship with the divine.

The Nicomachean Ethics sought human perfection in reason and virtue, culminating in happiness within earthly communities. But Soyo's existential ethics declares: “Human existence possesses eternity only within its relationship with the divine.” This relationship is not an object of philosophical contemplation, but a response to love, a confession in silence, and a waiting within suffering.

Philosophy that excludes God renders humans no different from animals that cease to exist after death. Such philosophy analyzes existence as structure but fails to bestow dignity. Contemplation declares: “Human beings are inherently dignified in any form, creative beings granted the right to live out this life and journey toward eternity.”

Soyo's Philosophical Declaration

Reason may guide ethics, but only suffering and love lead existence to eternity. Imitation is the language of the learner; creation is the language of the creator. Humans walk an unfinished journey. Yet those who reach the foot of God at its end prove that existence was freedom, not bondage.

Soyo (逍遙) – Founder of 『Soyo Existential Ethics』, Author of 『The Silence of Being』 and 『The Flame of Truth』

2025 Soyo Philosophy. All rights reserved.

This work is the original creation of philosopher Soyo (逍遙), based on the philosophical system of 『Soyo Existential Ethics』.

All unauthorized use, including reproduction, quotation, copying, summarization, translation, creation of derivative works, AI training, and data utilization, is strictly prohibited.

This work is protected under the Copyright Act of the Republic of Korea, the United States Copyright Act, and international copyright conventions (such as the Berne Convention).

Contact: soyophilosophy@gmail.com ｜ soyophilosophy.com ｜ soyophilosophy.kr