An Introduction to Moral Philosophy - The Good Life and the Meaningful Life

Vocabulary flashcards covering theories of the good life, the meaning of life, and related concepts in moral philosophy based on Chapter 2 of Jonathan Wolff's introduction.

Good Life

A concept often associated with well-being, specifically having health, happiness, and material success.

Meaningful Life

A life that involves having a sense of purpose and direction, offering fulfillment even if it is not always pleasurable or involves sacrifice.

Hedonism

The theory that a good life is one that maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain.

Epicurus

A philosopher who taught that the ultimate goal in life is pleasure, often focusing on simple pleasures.

Desire Fulfillment Theory

The theory that a good life is defined by achieving personal desires, regardless of whether those desires lead to pleasure or happiness.

Derek Parfit

A philosopher who argued that happiness and desire fulfillment are separate concepts.

Objective List Theory

The theory that a good life consists of certain things that are objectively valuable, such as health, knowledge, or moral virtue, regardless of personal desire.

Perfectionism

A variation of objective list theory arguing that a good life involves striving to achieve human excellence or perfection in various aspects of life.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A five-level model of human needs including physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Self-actualization

The realization of personal potential, creativity, and growth; the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Richard Hare

A philosopher who argued that pursuing pleasure directly leads to superficiality, whereas a life built on friendships and meaningful work is more fulfilling.

Leo Tolstoy

A famous author who, despite wealth and fame, felt a profound emptiness and concluded that true meaning could only come from faith in God.

Oceanic feeling

A metaphor used by Sigmund Freud to describe a sense of being connected to something beyond oneself.

Vocation

In religious contexts, a calling from God; in secular contexts, a special talent or passion that gives life meaning.

Susan Wolf

A philosopher who views a meaningful life as the combination of subjective attraction (personal engagement) with objective worth.

Projects of worth

Projects that are personally fulfilling and also objectively valuable to the world.

Objective Meaningfulness

The idea that a life can be meaningful even without the individual’s subjective endorsement, such as a religious leader who struggles with personal doubt.

Existentialism

A philosophy, associated with Jean-Paul Sartre, which posits that life’s meaning comes solely from an individual's choices and commitments.

Viktor Frankl

A thinker who argued that meaning can be found in creating something, experiencing love, or in how one responds to suffering and adversity.

T. M. Scanlon

A philosopher who suggests that moral obligations include ensuring others have the opportunity to pursue a good life.