Reading Review
Student’s Name
University
Course
Professor
Date
Reading Review
From reading The Good Life, we look at philosophy to understand happiness, examine life since unexamined life is not worth living, and understand why satisfaction is the ultimate goal of all activities. We look at history makers and philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Epicurus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. The focus of this great philosopher’s view is a good life, pleasurable life, and happiness as a character of attitude. The first new thing learned is eudemonia, which, according to Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, means living and doing well (Van Riel, 2015). Happiness revolves around the greatest good, and it is a matter of how we live, flourish, and how the human functions. The second thing is about virtue, which is described as an excellent trait and a disposition. Some of the virtues outlined are honesty, respect, patience, courage, and modesty. Integrity is not just a feeling but a habit of exercising virtuous acts. Development of virtues is a process that starts with emphasizing the necessity of socialization and upbringing, why role models are vital, the practice of actions, and finally, education.
The third thing is about altruism, which is about being willing to do things that are advantageous to others, even if one stands to be disadvantaged by them. Examples of generosity are being a volunteer, a philanthropist, doing charity works, donating organs, and even giving charity money. Plato and Aristotle view happiness from different perspectives. According to Plato, his main work that looks at happiness is his republic. He looks at how the state operates and an individual to live a happy life. He states that wisdom and justice are vital to living a happy life (Van Riel, 2015). He uses forms of dialogue that reflect the work of his teacher Socrates. On the other hand, Aristotle states that happiness involves activity and character, and practice is essential in achieving it. He gives quotes on how a man’s functioning is critical to attaining satisfaction.
Completing happiness-enhancing activity was a fulfilling one since I got to explore how to live a fulfilling life and do good to others without expecting to receive the right back. The feeling of practicing altruism and having a habit of doing virtuous acts is fulfilling. Thoughts of how humans are wired for happiness to get a purpose in life and the pursuit of human existence are explored to find worth in life and direction. The experience showed several other ways of pursuing happiness, such as using drugs, taking alcohol, or engaging in virtual games such as virtual darts. Still, despite all that, there are many depressions, anxiety, and suicide (Van Riel, 2015). This shows that not every individual is happy with the way they live their lives. Physical sensations were felt in the experience as there is a feeling of need to do better, be a better person, and generally live a lasting impression in many’s hearts by doing good to them.
Some of the changes experienced during the three weeks were significant in improving personal life and the need to live a quality life. I experienced the evolution of feeling contented, satisfied, and pleasure and joy in everyday living. The state of having a contented mind results from attaining what one considers suitable and fulfilling (Schubert, 2012). There were changes in experiencing positive emotions, such as experiencing joy, gratitude, pride, and authentic happiness with a meaningful life. The happiness paradox explores if happiness is possible, if it is elusive, if it is a byproduct or if the pursuit of happiness is a paradox.
The literature indicates that five acts of kindness are essential for the well-being of individuals. These acts of kindness include volunteering, donating money to charity, doing charity work, being philanthropic, and even donating organs. My own experience is knowing that the good done returns to us are nothing new. Humanity has known this for thousands of years. Religions talk about it; philosophy points to it. Now also science provides us with evidence that good deeds, friendly attitudes, kindly caring for ourselves, and others are what make our life full, meaningful, what makes us feel good (Schubert, 2012). A word said kindly and a smile given can change the world. Happiness is an intellectual pursuit that is essential in today’s world. Well-being is about realizing and fulfilling the true nature and virtuous potentials of living.
References
Schubert, C. (2012). Pursuing happiness. Kyklos, 65(2), 245-261.
Van Riel, G. (2015). Pleasure and the Good Life: Plato, Aristotle, and the Neoplatonists (Vol. 85). Brill.