What Makes A Good Life - 1846 Words

Yuangang (Alex) Zhu Mr. Schultz Search for human potential 7 January 2015 How to Live a Good Life There are countless ways to define a good life. In fact, the word good includes happiness, success, and pleasure. In Buddhism, the four noble truths state that life is suffering, and the way to enlightenment is a path out of suffering, which can also be understood as the path leads to a good life. From the perspective of Greek philosophers, living a good life is mostly based on reasoning. The importance of reason in sensing life is evident in all phases of life. The reasoning makes humans unique, which leads us to think, explore, and discover. As Socrates and Plato’s ideas influence the development of humans, their thoughts include the truth that is similar to the Buddha’s. There is also works that show ideas that are similar and demonstrate how these ideas are true and universal in our daily life. Lessons from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Seamus Heaney’s Beowulf, Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha, and the classic Greek philosophical tradition tells man to lead a good life by examining the life for defects and acting to improve, treasure friendship that are important, and avoid excess when possible. To examine life for defects and make actions that will change the current situation for the better is one big part of how to live a good life, new goals in life or new requirements for oneself is very important as examples shown in Greek philosophy, Siddhartha, and Beowulf. Many times peopleShow MoreRelatedWhat Makes A Good Life?817 Words   |  4 PagesIn order to answer the question, â€Å"What is required to live a good life?†, Aristotle proposes that a good life for human would be the maximum realization of the function that was unique to humans. In my interpretation, Aristotle refers to a good life to an individual is communally self-sufficient, and a good life is related to other external forces. A person is considered to have a good life if he isn’t placed in any unfortunate circumstances such as illness or diseases or isolation. I don’t fullyRead MoreWhat Makes A Good Life?1259 Words   |  6 Pagesthis day and age hold on to our identities in the blur of people we meet and relationships we form as we try to discover the life we want to live on our travels? It is normal that we adapt as we move through life, but where does one cross the line, becoming someone completely different and losing themselves? It is my belief that one can only fully understand what the good life is if they fully understand themselves. To fully understand oneself, one must be true to oneself. I believe that people areRead MoreWhat Makes A Good Life?1274 Words   |  6 Pages What is considered a good life? Is it to have Wealth and be able to enjoy the materials? Is it to have fame and be praised by everyone? Everyone have their own opinions of good life which was shaped by their experience of living in the current society. Different region might influence people in different ways due to, its history, religion, philosophy, tradition, and customs. Someone living in Asia will have a different opinion of a good life then someone living in Canada. Good life c an also affectRead MoreWhat Makes Good Life?1100 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"Good† is a broad term that can be interpreted in a variety of ways by each individual. By definition, it is a lack of self-centeredness. It means the ability to empathize with other people, to feel compassion for them, and to put their needs before your own. It means, if necessary, sacrificing your own well-being for the sake of others’. It means benevolence, altruism and selflessness, and self-sacrifice towards a greater cause. It means being able to see beyond the superficial difference of raceRead MoreWhat Makes A Good Life?1809 Words   |  8 Pagespursuit of a life stable enough to provide a certain degree of control and self-sufficiency while also remaining open to the possibility of circumstances which are not entirely under our control, such as love. To recognize the beauty of the mysteriousness and uniqueness associated with love, a force we cannot control, while also maintaining a certain degree of self-sufficiency may possibly allow us to live a good l ife with a love immune to tragedy. The idea of what constitutes the â€Å"good life† can be categorizedRead MoreWhat Makes Your Body Being Good Shape For Your Own Life?1722 Words   |  7 Pagesalways gain you respect. Be in control of your own life - You should be adept enough to control your own wellbeing and physical condition; no one else can do that for you. I know I mentioned this in the first chapter of this book though I wanted to talk a little more about the importance of your body being in good shape. I don’t mean making sure you are stick thin, I am talking about your strength. In terms of stamina, your body has to be in good shape for posing. (Believe it or not, it actually takesRead MoreHow Does Society Define A Good Life? Essay1228 Words   |  5 PagesTo have a good life, one must aspire to obtain one. Many people aspire to lead a good life but they nearly never truly obtain one. Life has obstacles, which makes it difficult for a person to lead a good life. Living a good life would be, being able to sustain oneself as well as one’s family members with little to no struggle. Equally important, a person should be happy while leading this so called, â€Å"Good Life.† â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living.† (Plato.) Knowing what makes you happy andRead MoreAnalysis Of Susan Wolfs Description Of The Moral Saint1421 Words   |  6 Pagesargument for her objection to the Moral Saint ideal is invalid. Wolf’s central criteria for one to be a moral saint, is to be an individual whose life is absolutely centered upon the pursuit of only moral virtues, interests, activities, and relationships exclusively for the maximum improvement of the welfare in others and society as a whole. An example of what Wolf’s moral saint would commit themselves and their time to, is instead of spending time reading books for their own benefit, like knowledgeRead MoreThe Good Life Is A Happy Life1510 Words   |  7 PagesThe good life is a happy life and is what everybody wants. But what does it mean to have a good life? Everybody has different ideas of a good life. By definition good life mean, balanced lifestyle accomplished goals and dreams that are beneficial to them or loved ones, an education, and stability through relationships, work and money. All are elements of good life, but as long as you are happy with yourself, you are having a good life. Life can be abounding in material comforts and luxuries. EverybodyRead MoreEssay on West Side Story731 Words   |  3 Pagesliving in America, as well as their beliefs and examples of living a good life. The expectations of what people consider the good life to be may vary on a person’s morals and their dreams of what life is truly about. In this movie, whether or not these characters were good people, lived a good life, or lived in a good society is a very controversial topic. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The characters of the West Side Story were not good people. The two gangs focused their lives on fighting with each