Transcript Good Life - Fort Thomas Independent Schools

Ethics
Defining Terms
Key Terms of the Ethics Unit
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Moral Philosophy: The Search for the best way
to live and the right principles to guide our
actions
Good Will: Acting on moral principles that are
justifiable by practical reason
Morality: Set of principles that guide our actions
Duty: Something one ought to do
Good Life: ???? Help me define this! (pg.
245). It does refer to the end-goal, not simply
the means of achieving this end.
Methods of Achieving a Good Life
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Hedonism (245):The Good life is getting as much
pleasure in one’s life and avoiding as much pain
as possible. -Epicurius
 Success (247): Achieving a decent social status
and respectability in society (wealth usually a
determining factor) -William James
 Asceticism (248): The Good life is one of
simplicity –oftentimes denying worldly pleasures
-Diogenes/Jesus/Buddha
 Freedom (249):The Good life is one free of
responsibility and social obligations. -Dostoevsky
Methods of Achieving a Good Life
Power & Creativity (250): “Will to Power” Man
desires the power to grow as a person and to
develop one’s talents, to create. -Nietzsche
 Religion (250): Devoting one’s life to following
religious dogma; “religion…permeates and
dominates [all other desires].” –Paul Tillich &
Kierkegaard
 Happiness/Eudaimonia (251): That which is
desired for its own sake and not for the sake of
anything else –Aristotle
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Your Method for the Good Life
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After examining various attempts at living “the Good
life” it is time to for you to attempt to express your
opinion on the Good Life. Before you leave today,
write a 1 paragraph response to the following set of
questions; do try to address each question:
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What does it mean to live rightly (the Good Life)?
What should we want out of life? What is worth
Working for? What about life should we just
accept and move on?