What Makes A Good Life Essay

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 in life and satisfying all human desires, not just the desire for pleasure, but the desire for purpose as well.
Looking at other readings and other’s opinions such as John Stuart Mill’s theory of utilitarianism and the theory of virtue ethics, I have been reassured that it is possible to live a good and happy life primarily through the aspects of virtue and …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