Science Technology & Society: Human Flourishing and The Good Life

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering human flourishing, the scientific method, and various philosophical schools of thought regarding the 'Good Life' based on lecture notes.

Flourishing

The highest good of an individual attempt to achieve his/her goal; a success a human being can achieve for the betterment of his/her life.

Happiness (Psychologist's view)

A mental state of well-being defined by positive and pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.

Happiness (Behaviorist's view)

A cocktail of emotions that a human experiences when doing something good or positive.

Happiness (Neurologist's view)

The experience of a flood of hormones released in the brain as a reward for behavior that prolongs survival.

Happiness (Hedonistic view)

The opposite of suffering; the belief that the purpose of life is to maximize happiness and minimize misery.

Eudaimonia

Literally meaning 'good spirited,' it is a term used by Aristotle to describe the pinnacle of happiness attainable by humans.

Aristotelian Human Flourishing

A product of Factors including Phronesis, friendship, wealth, and power, which leads people to natural excellence and happiness through concrete virtues.

Western Philosophy (Human Flourishing)

An individual-centric perspective focused on the Self, often associated with the Aristotelian view.

Eastern Philosophy (Human Flourishing)

A community-centric perspective associated with systems like the Confucian System and Japanese Bushido.

Science

An organized way of studying things and finding answers to questions.

Scientific Method

An approach to seek knowledge involving the formation and testing of hypotheses through a logical process for experimentation.

Iterative Process

A characteristic of the scientific method that involves backing up and repeating steps when new information or thinking arises.

Moral Life

A way of understanding the good life where a person possesses important virtues and performs activities beneficial to others rather than just personal benefit.

Inner Harmony

Defined by Plato in Republic as a quality possessed by a good person, as opposed to a wicked person.

Life of Pleasure

A view introduced by Epicurus suggesting that a life worth living is one where an individual experiences pleasure.

The Fulfilled Life

An objectivist view by Aristotle where a good life is a happy life that is both morally good and involves varied pleasurable experiences.

Finished Life

Living in a profession with great dedication and for a cause, rather than equating success solely to the outcomes of one's children.

Materialism

A school of thought founded by Leucippus and Democritus (460-370BC) asserting that comfort, pleasure, and wealth are the only highest goals.

Hedonism

The idea, believed by Epicurus, that an individual must indulge and maximize their total pleasure as it is what makes life worth living.

Stoicism

Founded by Zeno of Citium (3rd Century BC), it asserts that virtue is happiness and judgment should be based on behavior.

Theism

A school of thought where the basis of happiness is communion with God.

Humanism

A school of thought asserting that humans have the right to create their own lives.