STS_Topic-5-The-Good-Life.pptx

STS and the Human Condition
The Good Life
Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics and the Good Life
Eudaimonia: The Ultimate Good
Eudaimonia: Uniquely Human
Arête and Human Happiness

At the end of the topic, you must be able to:
1) define the idea of the good life
2) discuss Aristotle’s concept of Eudaimonia and arête
3) examine contemporary issues and come up with innovative
and creative solutions to contemporary issues guided by
ethical standards leading to a good life (The Sugar Film, 2014)

Nicomachean Ethics
 Everyone is in pursuit of the good life
 We do certain things that makes us happy and content
 The definition of a good life varies from one person to another
BIOLOGY DEPT.
Cebu Normal University
Prepared by: Jake Joshua C. Garces
GE 7- Science Technology and Society

Nicomachean Ethics
 In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle
wrote the following line:
“All human activities aim at
some good. Every art and human
inquiry, and similarly every action
and pursuit, is thought to aim at
some good; and for this reason the
good has been rightly declared as
that at which all things aim”.
BIOLOGY DEPT.

Aristotle explained that every action aims at some good.
1) instrumental good: good as a means of achieving something good
2) intrinsic good: good in itself
Nicomachean Ethics

STS_Topic-5-The-Good-Life.pptx

Eudaimonia: The Ultimate Good
 The good life is characterized by happiness
that springs from living and doing well
(eudaimonia; eu=good, monia=spirit)
 Eudamonia means happiness/welfare or
human flourishing/prosperity
 Eudaimonia is what defines the good life
 Pleasure, wealth, fame and honor are not
ultimate good
BIOLOGY DEPT.

"If wealth was the secret to happiness, then the rich would
be dancing on the streets, but only poor kids do that.
If power ensured security, then officials and politicians
would walk unguarded, but those who live simply are the
ones who have the soundest sleep.
If beauty and fame brought ideal relationships, then
celebrities would have the best marriages.
Live simply, walk humbly, love genuinely and life will
become easy & meaningful.
Remember, all blessings are from the Almighty so
recognize them and HIM!"
BIOLOGY DEPT.

 Unique to humans for it is a uniquely human function
 Aristotle’s notion of tripartite soul below illustrates a nested hierarchy of
functions and activities of the soul
 Humans have rational soul capable of theoretical and practical functions
Eudaimonia: Uniquely Human

Eudaimonia: Uniquely Human
 Only humans are capable of a life guided by reason
 Thus, happiness is a uniquely human function for it can only be
achieved through a rationally directed life

Arête
“excellence of any kind”
“moral virtue”

Arête & Human Happiness
 Eudaimonia is only possible by
living a life of virtue
 Two types of virtue
1) Intellectual virtue
 or virtue of thought
 is achieved through education, time, and experience
 key intellectual virtues are wisdom and understanding
2) Moral virtue
 or virtue of character
 is achieved through habitual practice
 key moral values are generosity, temperance, and courage

Arête & Human Happiness
 Both intellectual and moral virtue should be in accordance with reason
to achieve Eudaimonia
 Indifference with these virtues (for reasons that are only for one’s
convenience, pleasure, satisfaction) leads humans away from eudaimonia
 A virtue is ruined by any excess and deficiency in how one lives and acts

Summary
 The good life in the sense of eudaimonia is the state of being happy,
healthy, and prosperous in the way one thinks, lives, and acts
 The good life is happiness (eudaimonia) brought about by living a
virtuous life (Arête)
 The onward progress of S&T guided by virtue or ethical standards is also
the movement towards the good life that will allow us to flourish in life.

STS_Topic-5-The-Good-Life.pptx

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