STS LESSON 7: The Good Life

AARGHGHH IYAAAAAA

The Good Life

Everyone is in pursuit of, we do certain things because we want to achieve a life. May vary and differ in particulars.

Nicomachean Ethics

Fundamental basis of Aristotelian ethics, 10 books, Nicomachus. Treatise on Nature of moral life and human happiness

Definition of a Good Life

Happiness, living well, healthy, flourishing life with meaningful endeavors

All Human Activities

aims at some good, everyone aims to achieve that which is good.

Instrumental Good

good as a means to achieve something else

Intrinsic Good (Ultimate Good)

good in itself, something worthwhile without leading to something else.

Ultimate Good

Pleasure, Wealth, Fame and Honor

Pleasure

food, experiences, does not encompass all aspects of life

Wealth

wealthy but still unhappy with the lives they live, self-sufficeint.

Fame and Honor

not based on perceptions of others.

Happiness

Definition of Ultimate Good in terms of Eudaimonia. (Living well and Doing well[Aristotelian Sense], also called Eudaimonia.

Eudaimonia

Happiness and welfare (Eu = good, daimon = spirit)

2 Hallmarks of Eudaimonia

Virtue and Excellence

Eudaimonia; Uniquely Human

unique human function, rationally directed life, degrees of the soul are nested.

Alive

souls are what make them living things.

Aristotle’s Hierarchy of Souls

Vegetative(Nutritive), Sensitive, Rational

Vegetative(Nutritive) Soul

plants; only growth, assimilation of food, reproduction

Sensitive Soul

animals; sensitive soul sense, respond to environment, experience pleasure and pain (sensory), have memory

Rational Soul

humans; thinking and rational thought to the other two souls.

Tripartite Soul

Only humans are capable of life guided by reason, therefore happiness is a uniquely human function.

Defining a Good Life

by living a life of virtue (Aristotle)

Human Happiness

(Aristotle) life of virtue, life of excellence.

Arete

(Greek) excellence, “moral virtue”

Virtue

quality of being morally good

Types of Virtue

Intellectual and Moral

Intellectual Virtue

education, time and experience, wisdom, understanding, scientific knowledge.

Moral Virtue

habitual practice, “living them”, generosity, temperance, courage. Learned through repetition.

Achieving Eudaimonia

both Moral and Intellectual should be in accordance.

Courage

ruined by the needed emotional and proper action to address a particular situation.

Role of Technology in Achieving Good Life

responsible for advancements in all sectors of the economy. Impose an ethical standard in S&T not only will S&T flourish, but also the human person.

Technology

itself is not a tool. Whether it leads to a good life or not depends on how it is used and integrated.