CHAPTER

4 LESSON 3: THE GOOD LIFE

Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 examine what is meant by good life;
 identify how humans attempt to attain what is deemed as good life; and
 recognize possibilities available to human being to attain good life.

Below is called the wheel of happiness. For each area, shade the level of your
ENGAGE happiness with 10 being the highest and 1 as the lowest.

What is your ultimate source of happiness?

Do you agree that the main aim of our actions is to achieve happiness?

Your answer:
 DISCUSSION
Eudaimonia
Eudaimonia is a term coined by Aristotle which literally means “good spirited” (eu-good,
daimon-spirit). This has been often translated into “human flourishing” and happiness. In the book of
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, he made a survey on the opinions about happiness. Some may not
agree to this but accordingly, happiness is the ultimate goal we are always aiming at. In other words,
the reason to our actions is to achieve happiness. Try answering these questions.
Why are you attending STS classes?
…To learn (why?)
……To pass quizzes and examination (why?)
………To get a college degree (why?)
…………To get a good job (why?)
……………To earn money (why?)
………………To provide me and my family needs (why?)
…………………To be happy

Eudaimonia is what defines a good life meaning happiness defines a good life. To live a good
life is to live a happy life. Here are some of philosophies (not of Aristotle’s) of achieving a good life.
1. Materialism
It is also known as physicalism or atomism. In this philosophy, happiness is attained by acquiring
material things such as money, house, car, and clothes.
2. Hedonism
This philosophy was led by Epicurus. For hedonists, good life is a life with acquisition of pleasure.
For them, life is about obtaining and indulging pleasure (wants and desires), regardless of its
consequence. For example, if one’s pleasure is in drinking alcohol, based on this philosophy,
that person will drink as much as he wants, whenever he likes to. The mantra in this school of
thought is “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
3. Stoicism
In this philosophy, in order to attain happiness, one must learn to distance oneself and be
apathetic (showing little or no emotion). Events in one’s life cannot be controlled but one can
control how he/she respond to it. This is what stoics believe in.
4. Theism
For theist, their ultimate happiness is their communion with God or their gods/ goddesses.
5. Humanism
For a humanist, decisions are based on reason, empathy and concern for human beings and
other sentient animals. They emphasize on reason and science over religious texts and tradition.
For them, man is solely responsible of his destiny, free from religion, and is innately good.
Question to Ponder on…

Among those philosophies, which do you think is best in attaining a good life?

Eudaimonia: The Ultimate Good

A good life, however, is more than these countless expressions of what is good. Rather, it is
characterized by happiness that comes from living and doing well. Let’s take a look on Aristotle’s
view in achieving a good life, the highest good.
At present, one may say that having lots of money or being financially stable makes them
happy. According to Aristotle, money is attained for the purpose of something else. No one earns
money just to keep it. Rather, it used to buy our needs and wants. With this, money is not the highest
good.
 Some may also say that being successful is another way to be happy. According to Aristotle,
it is not the highest good because it is dependent on other people’s view. In your opinion, you might
say that you are already successful but this may differ from the opinion of other people.
Moving to pleasure, according to Aristotle, people relying on bodily pleasure are “lives
intended for cattle.” Pleasure is not always bad but when in moderation can help in attaining good
life but it is not the highest good.
Many would agree that their happiness is their family, friends, and significant other. According
to Aristotle, while relationships are very important, a person should also have a capacity to be alone.
Adding to it, not all relationships are in good terms.
What is then the highest good according to Aristotle? Happiness defines a good life; that
which comes from living a life of virtue, a life of excellence, manifested from the personal to the
global scale. Virtue plays a significant role in the living and attainment of the good life. It is the
constant practice of the good no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. Virtue is the
excellence of character that empowers one to do and be good.

Question to Ponder on…

Do you agree that good life comes from living a life of virtue and a life of excellence?

References:
Macnamara, D., Valverde, V., & Beleno III, R. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing, Inc.
Serafica, J. J., Pawilen, G. T., Caslib, B. N., & Alata, E. P. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Sampaloc,
Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Taguiling, M. (2019). Science, Technology and Society. Plaridel, Bulacan: St. Andrew Publishing House.
Name:_______________________________________________________
Program, Yr., and Section:___________________

ACTIVITY 14:
Answer the following using 3-5 sentences. Detach the worksheet once finished.

1. In your opinion, what constitutes a good life? Explain.

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2. Are the values you possess helps you in attaining good life? Explain.

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3. Is Aristotle’s highest good still applicable in attaining a good life at present? Defend your answer.

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