CHAPTER 6

THE GOOD
LIFE
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
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 Known for his
philosopher natural
philosophy.
Logic and
political
theory
 One of the greatest thinkers in the history of
western science and philosophy, making
contributions to logic, metaphysics, mathematics,
physics, biology, botany, ethics, politics, agriculture,
medicine, dance and theatre.

MORE ON First to classify areas of human knowledge into

distinct disciplines such as mathematics, biology,
ARISTOTLE and ethics.

Founder of the lyceum, the first scientific institute,

based in Athens, Greece

One of the strongest advocates of a liberal arts

education, which stresses the education of the
whole person, including one's moral character,
rather than merely learning a set of skills.
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 this reason the good has been rightly declared
as that at which all things aim.
WHAT IS MEANT BY GOOD
LIFE?
 Living in comfort and luxury with few
problems or worries.
 Characterized by happiness from living and
doing well
 Content
 WHAT IS EUDIMONIA?
 Came from the Greek word eu meaning “Good” and daimon
meaning “spirit”.

 Refers to the good life marked by happiness and excellence.

 Flourishing life filled with meaningful endeavors that empower

the human person to be the best version of himself/herself.
ARISTOTLE’S VIEW OF GOOD
LIFE
 The activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.

 Believed that good for humans is the maximum realization of

what was unique to humans.

 The good for humans was to reason well.

 The task of reason was to teach humans how to act

virtuously, and the exercise faculties in accordance with
virtue.
 VIRTUE/S
 behavior showing high moral standards.

 "paragons of virtue“

 synonyms: goodness, virtuousness, righteousness, morality,

ethicalness, uprightness, upstandingness, integrity, dignity,
rectitude, honesty, honorableness, honorability, honor,
incorruptibility, probity, propriety, decency, respectability, nobility,
nobility of soul/spirit, nobleness, worthiness, worth, good,
trustworthiness, meritoriousness, irreproachableness,
blamelessness, purity, pureness, lack of corruption, merit;
principles, high principles, ethics "the simple virtue and integrity of
peasant life"
NICOMACHEAN ETHICS 2:1
Virtue, then, being of two kinds, intellectual
and moral, intellectual virtue in the main owes
its birth and growth in teaching ( for its reason it
requires experience and time). While moral
virtue comes about as a result of habit
 THE VIRTUES:
Intellectual Virtue Moral Virtue
 theoretical wisdom (thinking  controlled by practical wisdom
and truth) (ability to make right judgment)

 practical wisdom  owed its development to how

understanding. one nurtured it as habit.

 Experience and time are  can be learned

necessary requirements for the
development of intellectual
virtue
HAPPINESS TO ARISTOTLE
 "Happiness depends on ourselves.“

 Central purpose of human life and a goal in itself.

 Depends on the cultivation of virtue.

 A genuinely happy life required the fulfillment of a broad range of

conditions, including physical as well as mental well-being.
HAPPINESS AS THE ULTIMATE
PURPOSE OF HUMAN
EXISTENCE
 Happiness is a final end or goal that encompasses the totality of
one's life.

 It is not something that can be gained or lost in a few hours, like

pleasurable sensations.

 It is more like the ultimate value of your life as lived up to this

moment, measuring how well you have lived up to your full
potential as a human being.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND GOOD LIFE
 S&T is also the movement towards good life. S&T are one of the
highest expressions of human faculties.

 S&T allow us to thrive and flourish if we desire it.

 S&T may corrupt a person

 S&T with virtue can help an individual to be out of danger.

Why is it that everyone is in the
pursuit of the good life?
 “Life is good! It is only our thoughts, choices and actions
towards the situations we meet in life each moment of time that
makes life look bad! The same bad situation in life that makes one
person think badly inspires another to do a noble thing! The same
good situation in life that makes one person feel so good to get
into a bad situation inspires another person to create another
good situation because of the good situation. It is all about
thoughts, choices and actions!
“Life is good! Live it well!”

— Ernest Agyemang Yeboah

 One must find the truth
about what the good is
before one can even try to
locate that which is good.
 If you want good things to happen in your life you have
to believe good things are possible for yourself. Quit
allowing negative and cynical thinking to get in the way of
the good life you deserve.

-BRYANT MCGILL
THANK YOU!
 POP QUIZ
Instructions: Write “MA’AM RENDAJE” if the statement is true or “Name of your crush” if it is false.

________ 1. Aristotle is an ancient Rome Philosopher.

________ 2. All human activities aim at some trouble.
________ 3. Intellectual virtue comes about as a result of habit.
________ 4. Moral virtue owes its birth and growth in teaching.
________ 5. According to Maslow, happiness depends on ourselves.
________ 6. Happiness can be gained or lost in a few hours
________ 7. S&T without virtue can help an individual be out of danger.
________ 8. Moral virtue cannot be learned
________ 9. A genuinely happy life required the fulfillment of a broad range of conditions,
including physical well-being only.
________ 10. Came from the Greek word eu meaning “Good” and daimon meaning “life”.
 POP QUIZ
Instructions: Write “MA’AM RENDAJE” if the statement is true or “Name of your crush” if it is false.

________ 11. Flourishing life filled with meaningful endeavors that empower the human person to be
the best version of himself/herself.
________ 12. S&T is also the movement towards good life. S&T are one of the highest expressions of
human faculties.
________ 13. Happiness is a final end or goal that encompasses the totality of one's life.
________ 14. A genuinely happy life required the fulfillment of a broad range of conditions, including
physical as well as mental well-being.
________ 15. The task of reason was to teach humans how to act virtuously, and the exercise
faculties in accordance with virtue.
POP QUIZ

CRUSH 1. Aristotle is an ancient Rome Philosopher. - Greek

CRUSH 2. All human activities aim at some trouble. – good
CRUSH 3. Intellectual virtue comes about as a result of habit. – Moral virtue
CRUSH 4. Moral virtue owes its birth and growth in teaching. – Intellectual virtue
CRUSH 5. According to Maslow, happiness depends on ourselves. – Aristotle
CRUSH 6. Happiness can be gained or lost in a few hours – can’t
CRUSH 7. S&T without virtue can help an individual be out of danger. – with
CRUSH 8. Moral virtue cannot be learned. - can
CRUSH 9. A genuinely happy life required the fulfillment of a broad range of conditions,
including physical well-being only. – physical and mental well-being
CRUSH 10. Came from the Greek word eu meaning “Good” and daimon meaning “life”. – spirit
MA’AM RENDAJE 11. Flourishing life filled with meaningful endeavors that empower the human
person to be the best version of himself/herself.
MA’AM RENDAJE 12. S&T is also the movement towards good life. S&T are one of the highest
expressions of human faculties.
MA’AM RENDAJE 13. Happiness is a final end or goal that encompasses the totality of one's life.
MA’AM RENDAJE 14. A genuinely happy life required the fulfillment of a broad range of conditions,
including physical as well as mental well-being.
MA’AM RENDAJE 15. The task of reason was to teach humans how to act virtuously, and the exercise
faculties in accordance with virtue.