Summary
Aristotle would not frame the choice as a prayer or an investment plan. For him, the goal of life is eudaimonia (flourishing) achieved through virtue and rational activity.
Why option c fits Aristotle
- a. work hard and make wise investments for them. Wealth is a means to an end, not the end itself. Aristotle warns against making wealth the ultimate goal, since virtue and friendship are higher goods.
- b. pray to have desires fade to nothing. Aristotle does not advocate praying to extinguish natural desires; he argues for rational control and living in accordance with virtue.
- c. share their own goods so as to prompt others to share theirs. This matches Aristotle's emphasis on liberality, friendship, and justice—the idea that goods should be used to promote mutual flourishing.
- d. pray that goods would truly benefit them. Not a central Aristotelian move; the benefit of goods comes from virtuous use, not prayer for benefit.
Why sharing aligns with the good life
Generosity, guided by virtue, helps form good friendships and a just community. The virtue of liberality lies in the mean between wasteful spending and miserliness, ensuring goods support virtuous activities rather than chase wealth for its own sake.
Conclusion
Therefore, Aristotle would advocate option c: share your goods so as to encourage others to share theirs, promoting mutual flourishing and a virtuous community.