The GOOD LIFEstsmodulmid

THE GOOD LIFE-midmodule
THE GOOD LIFE
Everyone is in pursuit of a good life. We do certain thing because we want to

achieve a life which will make us happy and content. By studying and working hard, we
try to attain this goal not only for ourselves but also for our loved ones and the rest of
humanity. People’s definition of the good life may vary and differ in particulars. In
general, however, we recognize universal truths that cut across our differences.
NICOMACHEAN ETHICS AND MODERN CONCEPTS
Aristotle, an important ancient Greek philosopher whose works from natural

philosophy to logic and political theory, attempted to explain what the good is. His
definition may be useful in our pursuit of the truth. In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle
stated:
All human activities aim at some good. Every art and human inquiry, and
similarly every action and pursuit, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason,
the good has been rightly declared as that which all things aim (Nicomachean Ethics
2:2)
Everyone is moving towards one’s studies, training for a sport, or taking a rest is
good. The good is expressed and manifested in many various ways for different
persons and circumstances. The good life, however, is more than these countless
expressions of what is good. It is characterized by happiness that springs from living
and doing well.
…both the many and the cultivated call it happiness, and suppose that living well
and doing well are the same as being happy (Nicomachean Ethics 1:4)
The ancient Greeks called this concept of “living well and doing well” as
eudaimonia. The word came from the Greek word eu meaning “good” and daimon
meaning “spirit.” Taken together, it generally refers to the good life, which is marked by
happiness and excellence. It is flourishing life filled with meaningful endeavors that
empower the human person to be the best version of himself/herself. If one is a
student, then he/she acts to be the best version of a student by studying well and
fulfilling the demands of school. If one is an athlete by training hard as well as joining
and winning in sports competitions.
Furthermore, according to Aristotle, happiness is the ultimate human end of

human action. It is that which people pursue for its won sake. Financial stability for
one’s family, the power achieved from winning the elections, or the harmony and peace
as a reward for taking care of the environment – all these and more are pursued for the
sake of happiness.
Now such a thing as happiness above all else, is held to be; for these we choose
always for itself and never for the sake of something else, but honor, pleasure, reason,
and every virtue we choose indeed for themselves, but we choose them also for the
sake of happiness, judging that by means of them we shall be happy. Happiness, on
the other hand no one chooses for anything other than itself. (Nicomachean Ethics
2:7).
Happiness defines a good life. This happiness, however, is not the kind that
comes from sensate pleasures. It is that which comes from living a life of virtue, a life of
excellence, manifested from the personal to the global scale.
It is the activities that express virtue that control happiness, and the contrary
activities that control its contrary (Nicomachean Ethics 1:10)
For example, making sure that avoids sugary and processed foods to keep
healthy is an activity that expresses virtue. The resulting health adds to one’s well-
being and happiness. Another example is taking care of the environment through
proper waste management which results in a clean environment and adds to people’s
well-being and happiness. These virtuous actions require discipline and practice. On
the other hand, activities contrary to virtue are those which do not result in happiness.
The lack of discipline in eating healthful food eventually makes one sick. The lack of
concern for the environment destroys the Earth we live in. Thus, disregard for virtuous
actions, especially for the sake of convenience and gratification, does not contribute to
happiness. The good life is marked by happiness brought about by virtuous human
actions and decisions that affect the individual self and the greater community. It is
characterized by a life of flourishing of oneself and of others. The good life does not
happen in a bubble where only one person is flourishing; others have to be in it, too.
Virtue plays a significant role in the living and attainment of the good life. It is the
constant practice no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. Virtue is the
excellence of character that empowers one to do so and be good. Such virtue is
cultivated with habit and Virtue plays a significant role in the living and attainment of the
good life. It is the constant practice discipline as it is not a one-time deed, but a
constant and consistent series of actions. Everyone has the capacity within
himself/herself to be good, but she/he also has to be disciplined to make a habit of
exercising the good.
Virtue, then, being of two kinds, intellectual and moral, intellectual virtue in the
main owes its birth and growth to teaching (for which reason it requires experience and
time), while moral virtue comes about as a result of habit (Nicomachean Ethics 2:1)
The onward progress of science and technology is also the movement towards
the good life. Science and technology are one of the highest expressions of human
faculties. They allow us to thrive and flourish in life if we so desire it. Science and
technology may also corrupt a person, but grounding oneself in virtue will help him/her
steer clear of danger.

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THE GOOD LIFE-midmodule

THE GOOD LIFE

Everyone is in pursuit of a good life. We do certain thing because we want to

NICOMACHEAN ETHICS AND MODERN CONCEPTS

Aristotle, an important ancient Greek philosopher whose works from natural

Furthermore, according to Aristotle, happiness is the ultimate human end of

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