Mathematics and the Good Life

2018 ◽  
pp. 52-78
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Feke
Keyword(s):  
Good Life ◽  
Practical Philosophy ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Contemporary Debate ◽  
Continuous Activity ◽  
Good Order ◽  
Ultimate Objective ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Ordered State ◽  
Theoretical Philosophy

This chapter demonstrates how Ptolemy's distinctly mathematical ethics emerges from his response to a contemporary debate over the relationship between theoretical and practical philosophy. He first asserts that the two are independent, differentiated by the manner in which one attains virtues in each domain, whether by instruction or continuous activity. Thereafter, he diminishes the distinction by revealing how they relate. Theoretical philosophy, specifically mathematics, transforms the soul. The study of astronomical objects—the movements and configurations of heavenly bodies—reveals their constancy, good order, commensurability, and calm. Mathematicians, aided by habit, come to appreciate these qualities and transform their souls into a fine and well-ordered state. Organizing their actions in accordance with astronomical theories, they never forget their ultimate objective, the divine-like condition of the soul. The study of mathematics is crucial to obtaining this good life.

An Analysis of Prudential Value

Utilitas ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEPHEN M. CAMPBELL
Keyword(s):  
Good Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Prudential Value ◽  
Good For ◽  
The Relationship

This essay introduces and defends a new analysis of prudential value. According to this analysis, what it is for something to be good for you is for that thing to contribute to the appeal or desirability of being in your position. I argue that this proposal fits well with our ways of talking about prudential value and well-being; enables promising analyses of luck, selfishness, self-sacrifice and paternalism; preserves the relationship between prudential value and the attitudes of concern, love, pity and envy; and satisfies various other desiderata. I also highlight two ways in which the analysis is informative and can lead to progress in our substantive theorizing about the good life.

Recognition

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Honneth
Keyword(s):  
Good Life ◽  
The State ◽  
Practical Philosophy ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Different Levels

The concept of recognition has played an important role in philosophy since ancient times, when the good life was thought to depend partly on being held in regard by others. Only Hegel, however, made recognition fundamental to his practical philosophy. He claimed that human self-consciousness depends on recognition, and that there are different levels of recognition: legal or moral recognition, and the forms of recognition constituted by love and the state. A similar tripartite distinction can be used to ground a plausible modern account of ethics.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN CONSUMPTION ASPIRATIONS: A CROSS-CULTURAL APPRAISAL

1991 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Bryce ◽  
T. T. Olney
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Satisfaction Measures ◽  
The Relationship

This study explores the possibility of gender and cultural differences in consumption aspirations using two different approaches. The first approach is designed to elicit stereotypes with regard to consumption dreams or the “good life”: “What do you believe most Americans (New Zealanders) wish for or want to achieve in their lives?”. The second approach probes for individuals' actual aspirations: “Three years after graduation, how do you want your life to be in terms of …”. Specific consumption categories examined in both approaches allow an assessment of individuals' relative emphasis on Having, Doing and Being (Sartre, 1956). Priority rankings of these categories provide information regarding the relative importance of each class of possessions/experiences. In addition, materialism and life satisfaction measures are included to assess the relationship between these two constructs and consumption aspirations and dream stereotypes. Content analysis of the data indicates that (1) significant gender differences in consumption aspirations and dream stereotypes do exist, although the form of these differences varies as a function of culture, and (2) culture has a more significant effect on aspirations and dreams than does gender. Findings are discussed in terms of gender theory and cultural differences between the two countries.

Sociology as Practical Philosophy and Moral Science

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Vandenberghe
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
Moral Philosophy ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Social Practices ◽  
Practical Philosophy ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Moral Science ◽  
Sociological Tradition ◽  
Norms And Values

The philosophical assumptions that organize moral sociology as practical philosophy are the outcome of a secular quest to investigate the principles, norms and values behind the constitution of society. As a protracted response to the whole utilitarian-atomistic-individualistic tradition that systematically deemphasizes the constitutive role that morality plays in the structuration of self and society, the sociological tradition has continued, by its own means, the tradition of moral and practical philosophy in theoretically informed empirical research of social practices. Going back to classic moral philosophy, I want to show in this article how social theory is involved in the quest for ‘the good life with and for the others in just institutions’ (Ricoeur).

scholarly journals Sports as a Mechanism for Reaching Your Potential: The Relationship between Positive Psychology and Sports

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Potential ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
The Relationship

People have been searching for the good life or personal well-being since the ancient Greeks. During this same period, people have been expressing themselves through sport, participating in games of athleticism as a means of discovering who they are and reaching their potential. This chapter examines the relationship between sports and a flourishing life. By examining sports as a mechanism of achieving specific traits of positive psychology associated with flourishing, the researcher is able to determine that sports are a matrix in which human potential can be nourished.

Using Virtue to Think About Science and Technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Stapleford ◽  
Emanuele Ratti
Keyword(s):  
Good Life ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
High Technology ◽  
Ancient Philosophy ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Contemporary Science ◽  
Philosophy And Religion ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Scholars have recently turned to a surprising source for analyzing contemporary science and technology: concepts of virtue drawn from ancient philosophy and religion. This chapter provides a brief history of the relationship between virtue, science, and technology before turning to the contents of this edited volume. Science, Technology, and Virtue offers a range of perspectives illustrating how scholars across multiple disciplines have found virtue valuable for helping us to understand, construct, and use the fruits of modern science and technology. In doing so, the authors show how intellectual and moral character—as embodied dispositions for action—continue to be central for pursuing the good life, even in an age of high technology and science.

Liberalism and Meaningfulness

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-224
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Church ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Common Ground ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Good Reason ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Contemporary Debate ◽  
Individual Self ◽  
Susan Wolf

The contemporary debate between perfectionists and anti-perfectionists is at an impasse. This paper does not take sides in this long-standing debate, but finds common ground between both groups in the notion of “meaningfulness,” as developed recently by philosopher Susan Wolf and psychologist Roy Baumeister. This notion is distinct from the good life in that meaningfulness describes formal qualities of a good life, but not its basis and substance. Accordingly, I argue, we can expect far less fundamental disagreement about meaningfulness than about the good life, giving perfectionists a good reason to focus on meaningfulness. In addition, I contend that meaningfulness is a necessary condition for the exercise of our liberty, giving political liberals a good reason to embrace it as well. Finding this common ground, both sides would hold that a legitimate function of government is to foster meaningful options for individual self-determination.

Why Hospice Nurses Need High Self-Esteem

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Olthuis ◽  
Carlo Leget ◽  
Wim Dekkers
Keyword(s):  
Professional Identity ◽  
Personal Identity ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Personal Goals ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Moral Dimension ◽  
Personal View ◽  
Hospice Nurses ◽  
The Relationship

This article discusses the relationship between personal and professional qualities in hospice nurses. We examine the notion of self-esteem in personal and professional identity. The focus is on two questions: (1) what is self-esteem, and how is it related to personal identity and its moral dimension? and (2) how do self-esteem and personal identity relate to the professional identity of nurses? We demonstrate it is important that the moral and personal goals in nurses' life coincide. If nurses' personal view of the good life is compatible with their experiences and feelings as professionals, this improves their performance as nurses. We also discuss how good nursing depends on the responses that nurses receive from patients, colleagues and family; they make nurses feel valued as persons and enable them to see the value of the work they do.

Self-Esteem and Individual Well-Being

2018 ◽  
pp. 91-112
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Mruk
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Good Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Human Values ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Sense Of Purpose ◽  
Intrinsic Values ◽  
The Relationship

Chapter 5 focuses on understanding the connection between self-esteem and positive psychology. It begins by looking at self-esteem in relation to two theories of mental health and then moves on to explore research concerning two forms of happiness, namely, hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. The chapter also highlights the relationship between self-esteem and basic human values that positive psychologists have associated with the good life in an Aristotelian sense. This material includes appreciating the importance of identifying one’s own intrinsic values concerning such things as wisdom, compassion, balance, beauty, courage, and more. Special attention is given to the idea that making these types of values a greater part of one’s life may increase a sense of purpose and meaning or well-being. Practical suggestions and activities round out this chapter to make its concepts more useful.

Plato on Pure Pleasure and the Best Life

Phronesis ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Good Life ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
The Good Life ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Instrumental Value ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Positive Evaluation

Abstract In the Philebus, Socrates maintains two theses about the relationship between pleasure and the good life: (1) the mixed life of pleasure and intelligence is better than the unmixed life of intelligence, and: (2) the unmixed life of intelligence is the most divine. Taken together, these two claims lead to the paradoxical conclusion that the best human life is better than the life of a god. A popular strategy for avoiding this conclusion is to distinguish human from divine goods; on such a reading, pleasure has merely instrumental value, and it benefits human beings only as a result of their imperfect nature. I argue that certain ‘pure’ pleasures are full-fledged, intrinsic goods in the Philebus, which are even worthy of the gods (thus Socrates ultimately rejects thesis 2). This positive evaluation of pure pleasure results from a detailed examination of pleasure, which reveals that different types of pleasures have fundamentally different natures.

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