THE GOOD LIFE

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:
1. Explain the concept of the good life as posited by Aristotle
2. Define the good life in their own words; and
3. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life to come up with innovative and creative
solutions to contemporary issues guided by ethical standards.
ARISTOTLE
 Ancient Greek Philosopher
 Known for his natural philosophy, logic and political theory
 first to classify areas of human knowledge into distinct disciplines such as mathematics,
biology and ethics
 One of the greatest thinkers in the history of western Philosophy
 Founder of Lyceum, first scientific institute, based in Athens, Greece.
NICOMACHEAN ETHICS 2:2
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 his reason the good has been rightly declared
as that at which all things aim.
 Is the name normally given to Aristotle’s best-known work on ethics.
 Consists of 10 books, originally separate scrolls, and is understood to be based on notes
from his lectures at the Lyceum.
 Derived from named Nicomachus, Aristotle’s son.