Philosophical Concepts of the Good Life

A set of vocabulary flashcards mapping key philosophical terms, theories, and definitions across classical, materialist, stoic, religious, and romantic thinkers.

Three Parts of the Soul (Plato)

The division of the soul into Rationality (thinking), Spirited (emotions/motivation), and Appetite (physical desires).

Justice (Glaucon)

The view that justice is a mere social compromise to avoid suffering injury, which anyone with impunity would abandon.

Justice (Socrates)

Internal harmony of the soul where rationality rules over beastial appetites and emotions.

Eudaimonia

The highest human good defined by Aristotle as living well, doing well, and a worthwhile life.

Human Function (Aristotle)

The unique characteristic function of humans, which is to act with reason.

Virtue as a Mean

An intermediate state between excess and deficiency achieved through habituation.

Atomism (Lucretius)

The theory that the universe is entirely physical and made of atoms, with no afterlife, no divine purpose, and no judgment from gods.

Logos (Epictetus)

The divine reason that governs the world in Stoic philosophy.

Stoic Self-Mastery (Epictetus)

Focusing exclusively on what is within your control (judgments and internal virtue) and ignoring external things such as wealth, physical beauty, or reputation.

Augustine's Concept of Restlessness

The state of human existence being fundamentally restless until resting in God, expressed as 'We were made from God for him, and we are restless until death'.

Inward-Turning (Augustine)

The practice of seeking God within oneself to achieve true fulfillment, rather than throwing oneself into worldly sins and distractions.

Faith Alone (Martin Luther)

The doctrine that salvation is granted through inner faith rather than earned through external religious rituals or good deeds.

Human Paradox (Pascal)

The condition of human existence as being half animalistic and half thinking beings.

Diversion (Pascal)

Constant distractions used by humans to escape the misery of their existence.

Natural Man Theory (Rousseau)

The proposition that humans are innately good, noble, and empathetic by nature, but become corrupt and unhappy when organized into society.

Rousseau's Concept of Happiness

Keeping an equilibrium between one's power and desires, with true morality found in the depth of the heart.

Transcendentalism (Emerson)

The belief that the physical world is a manifestation of a deeper divine inner life present in all humans.

Self-Reliance (Emerson)

The commitment to break away from custom, tradition, and conformity by trusting and abiding by one's own thoughts.