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How Do We Lead A Good Life?
Aristotle’s Insight as a Bridge between Pleasure and Meaning
It’s far from controversial to state that the majority of people want the good life. And certainly, within that group, there’s likely a large subset that actively strives for some sort of version of their good life. Now these versions differ substantially. Where one individual defines a life worth living as a montage of babbling brooks, tending to ones garden, and some good old peace and quiet, another may direct you to the nearest brothel.
Where do we begin in even attempting to define ‘a good life’? We could argue, as did Spinoza, Bertrand Russell, and Aristotle, that the good life is, to a great extent, the same as the happy life.
Well that’s sure helpful. What exactly is happiness to begin with?
Happiness is generally seen as a state rather than a trait. That is, it’s not permanent. It’s also not quite as intense as bliss or joy and is rather associated with pleasure or contentment. However, happiness is not equal to pleasure but instead far more stable. Pleasure can enhance happiness and happiness can enhance pleasure although the two can also act…
