The Philosophy of Good Life of Aristotle - Essay Example

The good life, however, is the end of all desires and is a state of absolute contentment. The general parameters of good life are: calculative, appetitive, and vegetative; but Aristotle disagrees with these conceptions and insists that the goals attained by earning wealth, fortune and honor are not the final ends. It does not mean that a good life can be attained without fulfilling the basic human appetitive and vegetative needs, but the epitome of a good life is attained with high morals and purposefulness of life.

Different people have different conceptions of good life. Some regard the acquisition of material objects as the end; while for others, spirituality is the essence of their happiness. But it is true that neither of these has ended and the desire for acquiring more and more is never-ending. Aristotle’s concept of a good life is evaluated on the functionality of human beings. He divides our actions into two broad categories: rational and irrational. Our rational behavior is defined by our logic and reasoning and makes us superior and unique, from all other living organisms in this world.

Appetitive and vegetative characteristics do not lead to final ends. Though moral virtue is also a unique characteristic of human beings, yet it doesn’t promise a good life. Besides, a virtuous person is empirically not contended and happy all the time. Extreme virtue or piety can actually make life very harsh and unbearable.Aristotle does not view people with average mental capabilities, or those belonging to low socio-economic class, or women, or slaves, or children to attain a good life.

Such people are dependent upon someone, and thus cannot fully utilize their capabilities, nor they have the power of decision making and neither can they exert any influence on others. Thus, self-sufficiency is an important factor that guarantees a good life. He doesn’t think that everyone is destined to have a good life. Only such people that are born in elite families and are self-sufficient in every sense of the word can attain a good life. Examples of such people are generals, emperors, commanders, and intellectuals, etc.

‘It is the legislator’s task to frame a society which makes the good life possible. The legislator is a craftsman whose material is society and whose aim is the good life.’ (Aristotle, 4)Leading a good life is a dream of everyone- but the standards and definitions of good life vary from one person to another. Aristotle’s concept of good life lays emphasis on human intellect and reason, yet he does not undermine the basic material needs of a person to be fulfilled. Moral virtue and vision are also the pillars of good life.