Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics is a foundational text in Western philosophy that explores the nature of human happiness and the moral virtues necessary to achieve it. Written by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, the work emphasizes the importance of developing good character traits, or virtues, through practice and habituation. The text introduces the concept of the "Golden Mean," which suggests that moral virtue lies between extremes of excess and deficiency. Aristotle argues that living a virtuous life leads to eudaimonia, often translated as "flourishing" or "well-being," which is the ultimate goal of human existence.