But this final end is most adequately realized not in the ruler, but in the scientist. Leisure, not work, is the basis of culture. And the ruler has very little leisure. There is a hierarchy of means and ends, just as there is a hierarchy from matter to form, potentiality to actuality. The end or goal of a particular activity may turn out to be itself a means to a further end, etc.
Most ends are themselves means to further ends.
Health is a means for functioning well. But happiness means many things to many people. According to Aristotle, happiness must be related to right functioning. Even though humans, like animals, have lively inclinations to nutrition, growth, perception, reproductiion, etc., the end of man is the fulfillment and perfection and completion of his reason. If a man makes nourishment his final end, he is fulfilling the potential he shares with a slug.