MODULE 6
Midterm
The Good Life
Universal Questions:
Questions about living a good life are common among
humans.
Essence of Good Life:
Many enjoy life's pleasures but feel the essence of a
good life is missing; a unified standard for defining it is
difficult to establish.
Philosophical Inquiry: The question of "What is the
good life?" has been explored for centuries, focusing on
how one should live.
Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics and the Goal of
Good Life
Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics provides a framework
for understanding the good life, emphasizing two key
aspects:
 Standard definitions of a good life.
 Guidance on achieving it within a flourishing
community.
C.S. Lewis’s Perspective: In the film The Magician's
Twin, C.S. Lewis suggests that science can inform
ethical considerations, referencing Aristotle's work.
Aristotle's Background: Born in 384 BCE, he was a
prominent student of Plato and a key figure in Greek
philosophy, known for his analytical and logical
approach.
Nicomachean Ethics: Written around 340 BCE, it
consists of 10 books and is one of Aristotle's most
widely read ethical texts.
Definition of Good: Good can be defined through
various achievements (e.g., education, success,
health).
Goal of Activities: Aristotle argues that every action
aims for some good, with the highest good being the
ultimate goal.
Eudaimonia: The Ultimate Good, The Ultimate
Happiness
Ultimate Good:
Different views:


Pleasure is seen as ultimate by common people.
Honor is viewed as ultimate by political figures.
Pleasure: Important but reduces humans to animalistic
behavior.Temporary; leads to further cravings.
Wealth: Not the ultimate good; many wealthy people
are unhappy.
Fame and Honor: Dependent on public opinion, which
is unstable and fluctuating.
Aristotle's View:
 Happiness is identified as the ultimate good.
 Other goods are means to achieve happiness;
happiness is an end in itself.
 Happiness defined as "living well and doing well."
Eudaimonia:
 Greek term meaning happiness; derived from "eu"
(well or good) and "daimon" (divinity, spirit, soul
or self).
 To be eudaimon is to live favorably according to
a higher power.
Uniqueness of Eudaimonia:
 Eudaimonia is uniquely human, achieved through
rational living.
 Fulfillment of human nature relies on reason.
Aristotle’s Tripartite Soul
Illustrates the components of human function and
reason in achieving happiness.
Types of Good:
 Instrumental good: Good for its own sake.
Example: Being happy is valuable just because it feels
good—it doesn’t need another reason to be important.

Intrinsic good: Good for the sake of something
else.
Example: A pencil is not valuable on its own, but it is
useful because it helps people write and learn.

Common Good: The ultimate good for all is more
important than individual good, highlighting the
importance of understanding the common good.
Example: Following traffic rules keeps everyone safe,
not just one person. It benefits the whole community.
Figure 1 –Aristotle’s Tripartite of Soul
The Vegetative (or nutritive) Element
 It is common to all living organisms, regardless of
type (e.g. animal, plant, human) or stage of
development (e.g. embryos, children, adults) and
involves the power for self-nutrition, reproduction
and growth.
The Sensitive Element
 It deals with our impulses, our passions, our
capacity
for
movement
and
basic
decision-making. We share this element with
animals.
The Rational Element
 This part expresses our unique function as human
beings. The rational part is important in Aristotle’s
assessment in what constitute eudemonia. This is
strictly and uniquely human not common to all
creatures or shared animals.
Rationality is our guide in life and only if we are fully
Good Life as related to Flourishing Science and
Technology
Good Life
Contemporary period characterized by advancements
in science and technology.
rational can we reach our potential. Rational activity is
not only thinking in the sense of calculating. It also
includes practical reasoning and planning for the future
helping us to make right decision. Eudamonia
consists of excellent rational activity the most perfect
part of the soul.
Aréte and Human Happiness
Dependence: Many people rely on science and
Eudaimonia: Defines the good life; to live well is to be
these advancements truly lead to happiness and the
experience of a good life.
Reflection on Nature: Reminds us of the simplicity
and purity of early human life with natural resources
like wood, stones, and vegetation.
happy.
Aristotle's Conclusion: Happiness and human
existence purpose is virtue.
Aréte: Greek term for excellence; includes moral and
intellectual virtues.
Types of Virtue:
 Moral Virtue: Character developed through
habitual practice (e.g., honesty, courage,
generosity).
 Intellectual Virtue: Gained through education,
training, experience.
Virtue and Choice: Virtue involves habit and the choices
made; proper decisions build virtuous habits. The
question arise how do an individual make the right
choices?
Making Right Choices: Aristotle's concept of virtuous
choice as the mean between extremes of excess and
deficiency.
For instance, Aristotle gives an example of the virtue of
courage;
 Cowardice: Vice of deficiency (too much fear).
 Rashness: Vice of excess (too little fear).
 Courage: The 'golden mean' between cowardice
and rashness.
Doctrine of the Mean: Virtue is the balance point
between vices of excess and deficiency.
technology to overcome modern challenges.
Engagement
Areas: Society's involvement in
nanotechnology, modern genetics, and robotics
reflects the current notion of a GOOD LIFE.
Happiness Question: The text questions whether
Aristotle's Philosophy: Emphasizes the attainment
of virtue and happiness through moderation (Golden
Mean).
Moderation Importance: Advocates for a balanced
approach to the advantages of science and technology,
suggesting that moderation is key to a healthy life.