The Good Life - Aristotle

Aristotle

An ancient Greek philosopher known for work in natural philosophy, logic, and political theory; considered one of the greatest thinkers in Western science and philosophy.

Aristotle's contributions

Made contributions to logic, metaphysics, math, physics, biology, botany, ethics, politics, agriculture, medicine, dance, and theatre.

Aristotle's classification

He was the first to classify areas of human knowledge into distinct disciplines like mathematics, biology, and ethics.

Lyceum

The first scientific institute, founded by Aristotle in Athens, Greece.

Liberal arts education (Aristotle)

Advocated by Aristotle, it focuses on educating the whole person and building moral character, not just learning a set of skills.

Core idea from Nicomachean Ethics

All human activities, every art, inquiry, action, and pursuit, are believed to aim at some good.

The "good"

Rightly declared as that at which all things aim.

"Good Life" (Definition 1)

Living in comfort and luxury with few problems or worries.

"Good Life" (Definition 2)

A life characterized by happiness that comes from living and doing well.

Eudaimonia

Refers to the good life, marked by happiness and excellence; a flourishing life filled with meaningful endeavors that empower a person to be the best version of themselves.

Eudaimonia (Etymology)

Comes from the Greek: eu meaning "good" and daimon meaning "spirit".

Aristotle's View of the Good Life

The activity of the soul in accordance with virtue; the maximum realization of what is unique to humans.

Unique human ability (Aristotle)

The ability to reason.

Main goal for humans (Aristotle)

To reason well.

Task of reason (Aristotle)

To teach humans how to act virtuously.

Virtue

Behavior that shows high moral standards.

Synonyms for Virtue

Goodness, righteousness, morality, integrity, dignity, honesty, honor, purity, and a lack of corruption.

Two kinds of virtue (Aristotle)

Intellectual and moral.

Intellectual Virtue

This is about theoretical wisdom (thinking and truth) and practical wisdom (understanding); it owes its birth and growth to teaching and requires experience and time.

Moral Virtue

This comes about as a result of habit; it is controlled by practical wisdom (the ability to make the right judgment) and is learned through nurturing it as a habit.

Happiness (Aristotle's quote)

"Happiness depends on ourselves."

Happiness (Aristotle's view)

The central purpose of human life and a goal in itself; it depends on the cultivation of virtue.

Genuinely happy life (requirements)

Requires the fulfillment of a broad range of conditions, including physical and mental well-being.

Happiness as the Ultimate Purpose

A final end or goal that encompasses the totality of one's life, not a temporary feeling; it's the ultimate value of your life as you've lived it.

Science & Technology (S&T) and the Good Life

Considered a movement towards the good life and one of the highest expressions of human faculties; allows us to thrive and flourish.

S&T (Corruption)

It can also corrupt a person.