THE GOOD LIFE

ARISTOTLE
• Ancient Greek
philosopher
• Known for his
natural philosophy,
logic and political
theory
More on Aristotle:
• 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.
• First to classify areas of human knowledge into distinct disciplines
such as mathematics, biology 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 ones 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
Content
and doing well
What is EUDIMONIA?
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, 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 and 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 it's birth and growth in
teaching ( for it's reason it requires
experience and time). While moral virtue
comes about as a result of habit.
 The Virtues:
Intellectual virtue Moral virtue
• Theoretical wisdom • Controlled by practical
(thinking and truth) wisdom(ability to make
• Practical wisdom right judgement)
• Understanding. • Owed it's development to
Experience and time are how one nurtured it as
necessary requirements habit.
for the development of • Can be learned
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 totally

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
Thank you everyone