2007-03-23 09:08:30 · 11 answers · asked by R 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
if you wake up in the morning and feel grateful to be alive and grateful for all the things around then you are living the good life
2007-03-23 09:13:29 · answer #1 · answered by scauma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is such a thing as the good life.
Life is a quest; it is a quest for the good life. For people to flourish in that quest they need to acquire those virtues which when embodied can help them overcome those threats and harms that threaten to hurt and divide them.
HTH
Charles
2007-03-23 09:46:20 · answer #2 · answered by Charles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a great question, and one that has been at the center of philosophy for thousands of years. My advice to you in determining the answer to that question is to ask yourself: what do I think is valuable intrinsically: or what is valuable, human being, in and of itself. What is good not as an instrument to some other means, but on its own. Some answers in the past have been: happiness and pleasure, but there have been other answers as well. Start by reading Plato and Aristotle, since they offer good introductions to the basic ideas of ethics. Read the Nichomachean Ethics for Aristotle. Another good book to read that is not that difficult is called Utilitarianism, by John Stuart Mill. It is also worth noting that some people think that there really is no "good" life, but that our idea of ethics is simply analgous to opinions or feelings about given behaviour. An example of this kind of thinking is found in the ethics of David Hume. So, basically, ask yourself if you think that there is a good for humans that is good intrinsically, in and of itself, and you will be on your way to discovering what you believe to be the "good" life.
2007-03-23 09:26:06 · answer #3 · answered by Golfer MS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics tried to answer that, as have no end of religious books. Paul McCartney (I think) had a very nice song which ends with an equation: "...and in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make." And Faith Hill (I think) has one with the words "only kindness matters."
If you treat everyone with kindness (as if they are your kind of people, your kin), you'll receive a lot of kindness in return. Does life get better than that?
2007-03-23 09:17:31 · answer #4 · answered by Philo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Islam provides the meaning of a good life.
2007-03-23 09:28:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We observe business without morality; science without humanity; knowledge without character; worship without sacrifice; pleasure without conscience; politics without principle; and wealth without works.
...
To measure the goodness of life by its delights and pleasures and safety is to apply a false standard. The abundant life does not consist of a glut of luxury. It does not make itself content with commercially produced pleasure, the nightclub idea of what is a good time, mistaking it for joy and happiness.
On the contrary, obedience to law, respect for others, mastery of self, joy in service—these constitute the abundant life.
2007-03-23 09:30:15 · answer #6 · answered by Bryan Kingsford 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My answer, to be kind, that's is how I try to live a good life. I do the best I can, and fail sometimes.
2007-03-23 09:14:37 · answer #7 · answered by crct2004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good life is being happy, and making sure everyone you know is happy. Also being grateful for being in the world and thanking god.
2007-03-24 10:09:54 · answer #8 · answered by pink_h_moon 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A good life means " Loving all and hating no one " - Eventhough it is practically not possible , it can be achieved if we try really hard .
2007-03-24 02:43:12 · answer #9 · answered by subra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no other gods but God...There is no "legal", bad/good, rich/pour, this/that life, but LIFE. To understand and embrace this is to get back to our origin of whom we really are.
2007-03-23 09:20:39 · answer #10 · answered by Oleg B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋