In the modern world, the term “The Good life” is usually defined in a variety of ways by different people as every individual has his or her own perspective on what the term is all about. Basically, “The Good Life” can be termed as a desirable state of life that is predominantly characterized by high living standards or rather adherence to moral as well as ethical laws.
“The Good Life” is an important issue to the society due to the fact that it involves individual’s lives which are not wasted with what can be regarded as mundane activities rather; it adds value and immensely contributes to creating a better world (Mueller). Moreover, the issue of a good life highly contributes to the personal growth of members of the society. ”The Good Life” combines aspects such as civic responsibility, thus leading to the creation of a better society (Veenhoven, 221). One of the most integral aspects of the term “Good life” is civic engagement which brings about peace and harmony in the society.
Over the past decades, different philosophers engaged in the definition of the term “The Good Life” thus, leading to its evolution in meaning. Three philosophers that engaged in defining the term are Aristotle, Socrates as well as Plato. According to Aristotle, the good life can be termed as the act of individuals fulfilling all their human functions thus, with excellence and involves three virtues, thus, interpersonal, personal and intellectual excellence (Mueller). However, the meaning of the term changed when Socrates defined it as a life that is not materialistic but rather based on a person’s mind. The argument brought forward is the fact that a good life is based on a healthy mind. During his time Plato defined the good life as a state whereby, a person is happy thus, the person has everything he or she requires (Russell, 22). In the modern world the term the good life is often defined as a state that is highly characterized what can be termed as high living standards which comprises of wealth, fame, luxuries as well as material possessions.
Success over the issue of “Good Life” has been met in drawing happiness as well as joy from simple life pleasures. Individuals who live the good life are those that are able to take pleasure from simple things that life presents (Mueller). Many people tend to think that acquisition of status, material possessions as well as wealth can bring about “The Good Life”, however, this is not the case as this people will always want to acquire more or rather they will always feel something is missing. Success over the issue has also been acquired by individuals that tend to be grateful which a paramount aspect of the good life as it helps in overcoming by pursuit of what can be termed as boundless desires.
One of the challenges in achieving a good life is that people often find it hard to live, thus, in moment as they tend to be trapped thus, in the past while others tend to have great fear in relation to the future, hence, they do not achieve the good life (Mueller). Achieving the good life can therefore be achieved by simply living in the moment. Another challenge is worrying about things that are incontrollable which makes individuals to feel not only intimated by also helpless which hider’s attaining “The Good Life”. Since most things in life are beyond our control the best way to deal with this fact is to control our individual responses to these things.
Attaining "The Good Life" is highly beneficial to me as an individual as well as to other people. Having the good life brings about the sense of satisfaction which is important as it makes a person feel contented with all the things they have. The feeling of being contented with life will prevent a person from engaging in activities that may bring him harm in the search for a good life. Another benefit of the good life is that it brings a feeling of happiness to the individual (Veenhoven, 198). When a person feels happy with his situation in life many things such as depressions and temper are kept at bay. Temper and depression are like diseases of the mind and can rapidly shorten a person's life by illnesses such as high blood pressure. A happy person as a result of a good life has a little chance of getting depressions.
There are several things that a person can do to achieve the good life, such as working hard to achieve wealth as many things such as comfort and fun require money (Mueller). Comfort and fun are key to bringing happiness and satisfaction important to attain the good life. Also, in order to achieve the good life there is a need to enjoy simplicity and appreciate what you have rather than seeking to add more fame or material belongings. Self discipline is a major aspect to consider while aiming to achieve a good life, because it will prevent you from engaging in indiscipline behavior that will prevent the achievement of the good life.
Achieving the good life is not easy there are several obstacles and hindrances such as the economy. Currently taxes are high and product prices are high, this makes it hard for people to be able to buy products that offer them comfort, fun, satisfaction and happiness to live the good life (Russell, 15). In addition, people still hold on to the events of the past that hold pain or sadness instead of living the present moment, this makes it difficult to attain the good life.
I found it successful pursuing a better life when I joined the music classes. Music is my passion, when am in that class I feel at home and enjoy every little detail being taught. Music makes me feel happy and is a stress reliever whenever I feel depressed.
Works Cited
Mueller, S. "What Is the Good Life". The Planet of Success.(2016).Web. Retrieved From: web http://www.planetofsuccess.com/blog/2016/what-is-the-good-life/
Russell, D. " Plato on pleasure and the good life". Oxford University Press on Demand. (2007).pp. 11-66. Print.
Seligman, Martin EP. "What is the good life." APA monitor 29.10 (1998): 2.Print.
Veenhoven, R. "The four qualities of life ordering concepts and measures of the good life: In The exploration of happiness". Springer Netherlands. (2013). pp. 195-226. Print.
