The Good Life Various Views and Ways to Achieve It free essay sample

There are also certain things hey did, qualities they possess or steps they took to get to their good-life status. Different people world-wide have different cultures and beliefs, and this leads them to have different perspectives on what the good life exactly Is and how one goes about obtaining it. Perhaps since the first cave men were alive, the concept of the good life has existed. No doubt cave men saw the benefit In taking shelter In caves during Inclement weather or whenever danger was near or In finding food for nourishment.One cant help but to imagine that even these cave men did the best they could to find adequate shelter and adequate food. By doing these things, they would be able to live and function without many issues. Why would they not attempt to be problem-free? While these prehistoric creatures may not have been thinking about driving a Mercedes Benz, certainly they did things to ensure their comfort and well- being. We will write a custom essay sample on The Good Life: Various Views and Ways to Achieve It or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In other words, it could be said by some that because even cave men had the brain power to make things as comfortable for themselves as possible, human beings automatically want to do those things that put them at the most easy state of being possible good-life status. Of course, only a person who actually believed that good- fife status Is determined by a person cleaving the easiest state of being possible would agree with this. Throughout history there have been many different arguments on what the good life is.By there being so many arguments on what the good life actually is, there have also naturally been arguments and disagreements concerning how one achieves the good life. This argument concerning the good life and the road to getting there is an old philosophical debate. Some have even wondered if there is such a thing as a good life at all. Despite all the different arguments surrounding the incept of the good life, perhaps the most basic dispute that all these arguments seem to tie back to is the actual definition of the good life.After much debating, some philosophers still cant decide on what the exact definition of the good life is but have been able to break It down to the following three contrasting views of the Idea: perfectionism, the preference theory, and hedonism. These three different views each describe the good life, the things that It takes for one to achieve it and some of the hardships that that comes along with each The first definition for the good life, or perfectionism, mainly and solely focuses on hangs that humans have a need or a capacity for such as friendship, knowledge or even creative activity.In other words, the living the good life is all about recognizing, acknowledging, and developing the use of these cravings or cap acities (Sanded, 1999). For example, if a young boy notices at an early age that he is interested in sports, particularly football, his ultimate stab at the good life would be to develop his football skills. This way, the boy would get better and better and may eventually be able to compete and play football at a professional level. Sure the boy would become ICC, but the factor that would actually bring the most satisfaction to the boy is his ability to have recognized his capacity for the love and desire to play football and developing it to highest ability. The second definition some philosophers feel defines what living the good life refers to is the Preference Theory. This definition states that being able to satisfy ones desires or preferences is what living the good life is all about.Under this definition, the only way to achieve good-life status is to truly satisfy your desires or to have whatever it is that you prefer. (Sanded, 1999). For example, if a woman needed tell-toed boots to work in at her Job in order to keep her Job, and she was only happy buying the most expensive steel-toe boots in the store then this is the preference theory. There could have been one hundred different type of boots in the store for the woman to choose from, but she would only be satisfied with the ones she preferred. She desired the shoes, the shoes made her happy and in her own sense, she was on top. In the words of philosophers who believe in the Preference Theory, she was living the good life. The third definition some philosophers feel tell what the good life actually is and hat it takes to achieve this concept is Hedonism. Hedonism recognizes the good life as constantly indulging and enjoying things that promote pleasure and avoiding those things that cause pain.The only way a person that believed in hedonism could truly feel as if they were living the good life would be to do everything possible to feel pleasure and at all costs, try to stay away from things that caused them displeasure (Sanded, 1999). For example, a person who practiced hedonism would Jog every morning if it made them happy, eat fried chicken every day if it made them happy, and get their hair dyed once a month if it made them happy. On the other hand, this same person would not do their own laundry if it caused them pain or discomfort, and they would also avoid listening to loud music if it hurt their ears. Of course there has not been a definition to the concept of the good life proven to be 100% accurate, but that doesnt stop people from believing in the good life or trying to do those things that could guarantee them the good life. If philosophers can narrow down their argument over what the good life truly means to three definitions, perfectionism, the Preference Theory, and hedonism, then of course there re more arguments out there on what the good life truly means and what it takes to achieve it.Also, there are certainly real-life situations in the world that either challenge or support each of these three definitions. One real-life situation that would put these definitions to the test is if something detrimental happened in a persons life that may affect their opportunity at the good person can still the good life according to one of the three definitions philosophers have provided if the person has been physically injured. Is perfectionism still an option with a broken arm? Doe s having an injury or illness make one unable to live in the Preference theory?Can one still try to do all things that pleasure them and avoid pain, or practice hedonism, if they are seriously injured? Perhaps the injury itself makes none of these definitions strong enough or true enough to truly be the accurate definition of the good life. Psychologists, Dana Dunn and Clint Broody, addressed the topic of whether or not and if so how, a person with an acquired physical disability could still have a shot of living the good life in their article, Defining the Good Life Following Acquired Physical Disability.First, these psychologists define the good life in their perspective as elucidating and promoting those qualities that contribute to a satisfying, fulfilling, and well-lived existence (Dunn, Broody, 2008). This definition, perhaps, is most similar to that of the aforementioned definition, perfectionism. Next, these psychologists reiterated to readers that an acquired disability to result from either trauma or disease, and ask the question can people in this position truly live the good life, according to their definition, after something so devastating.Finally, the psychologists sum up their thoughts on the matter in one overall concept: in order or these people to truly live the good life again, they must be able to adapt to their new circumstances and maybe even adopt new qualities within themselves to promote thus contributing to their happiness and satisfaction, giving them a new chance at the good life (Dunn, Broody, 2008).This, perhaps, proves that the most reliable definition of the good life is perfectionism, or that for humans, living the good life is all about recognizing, acknowledging, and developing the use of these cravings or capacities within to the highest point of s atisfaction. After all, if a person can become ill or lose a limb and till have a chance at living the good life, then there is a good chance that this definition of the good life is reputable. Perfectionism has room for error as it defines the good life, even for people who have gone through extremely traumatic situations.For example, the little boy aforementioned who loved football so much that he channeled his capacity for football until he made it to the professional level was living the good life, because he was able to develop his capacity for football to the highest level. This same boy would be devastated, one would think, if he broke a leg n a car accident, and the injury ended his football career. However, the boys love for football is what him happy and developing his skill to the highest level.If this same person were to develop his skill in football in another aspect besides playing the sport, like coaching, then this person would still have a shot at living the good life according to the definition of perfectionism. Though the debate is definitely old among philosophers concerning the true definition of the good life and the way to achieve it, situations such as people being able to still live the good life while being seriously injured makes the definition of refections perhaps more superior than the Preference Theory or hedonism.Dieter Breaches (1999), author, points out in his literary piece, Quality of Life defining the good life: the physical, the psychological, and the social. He said, Typically, the physical dimension is personalized by such characteristics as organ function, mobility and capacity to communicate. Sometimes, the characteristic pain/ painlessness is included (p. 27). This being said, hedonism, unlike perfectionism, is basically impossible if one is suffering or has suffered from pain due to their bodily harm.After all, hedonism states that avoiding pain is what leads to the good life. How can one avoid something that is unavoidable or permanent due to an acquired disability? It is impossible. Brashnesss observations also cancels out the Preference Theory, and shows that it cant be the best definition to the good life, because it is highly unlikely that anyone would prefer pain or suffering. My own personal definition view of the good life is one that I have acquired by living, learning, and observing.I know to some it may mean material things and to others it may mean having tons and tons of friends. To me, the good life is being able to wake up every morning knowing that you are blessed, you are happy, and those people that you love and care about are happy as well. I dont, however, have one particular answer as to what the path of getting to the get life is. I think that every individual will have a different path, because different things make different people and their loved ones happy.For me, my path to the good life is being true to myself, accomplishing my goals, being the best Christian I can be, and being a shining light in the eyes of those that I love. My defense to my definition of the good fife is that not only does it work for me every day, but I see my children adopting it. They are happy, too! After studying about others views on the definition of the good life, including perfectionism, the Preference Theory, and hedonism, I am going to stick by my definition of the good life.