Virtue Ethics: Living A Good And Good Life

Every single person has a different standpoint of what is important to make his or her life a good and happy life, and everyone has the control to make that life possible. Aristotle believed the good life is one which thrives and that individuals live happily and opportunely. Socrates was another philosopher that contributed in the argument on the good life and how it should be achieved. According to Socrates, the good life is one that is not materialistic but rather about the mind of an individual. He argued that an individual with a healthy mind tends to live the good life as compared to that who is wealthy. As for me, if I were asked what the good life is, I would argue that a good life is living in a virtuous manner, having true meaning …show more content…
Like we have learned, utilitarianism is a theory based on the principle that "actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness” (229). Mill also defines happiness as pleasure and the absence of pain (229). Every decision we make should be made in consideration of which choice will enhance the total amount of happiness. Living a virtuous life requires us to do what is right, and feel good about those decisions that we have made. If we feel good about our decisions we increase our happiness and, often those affected by our actions will feel good too. It is important to learn from our mistakes, because in return, we will grow as people, and will likely not continue to make those same mistakes. A life full of doing bad things, will only leave us with a life full of regrets at the end, but living virtuously will prevent us from living a life of regrets and in return will ensure a good …show more content…
Not only does it vary from person to person, it can have a change in meaning for a sole individual. From day one of the course till now, my definition and concept of the good life has definitely changed. I first defined the good life as “being successful and being happy in what you achieve,” failing to explain the definition of what success really is. We know the dictionary definition of success to be accomplishing an aim or purpose, however there are so many aspects of our life that we could call success. The good life entailing virtue and meaning can lead to anybody’s definition of success. Whether it be success in having material things or important social status, in making a decent living or even just setting a daily goal and achieving it, virtue and meaning are the pillars behind it