How should one live - Coursework Example

How should one live? It is baffling to think of how a person should live. As a result, questions such as ‘should one live empathetically, pursuing knowledge that can free people from suffering?’, ‘should an individual live a life of critical reflection, in search of the truth?’ And ‘should and individual live a righteous life of balance, family loyalty and harmony? Keep on popping in the minds of people (Pojman, 2005). Additionally, people may still ask themselves whether they should live in quest of happiness.

Possibly, we ought to selflessly do what obligation demands in dedication to God (Pojman, 2005). However, we should not forget that all people are linked to the earth. In this regard, we are all connected, and this connectedness requires us to live in harmony and ecologically conscious. The question on how an individual should live is significant to human existence. Aristotle provided an explanation on how one should live through the concept of eudaimonia (Pojman, 2005). This concept was translated to imply happiness, fulfillment and human flourishing.

Aristotle gave this answer because he established that eudaimonia was the only goal of life that could be taken into account as "an end in itself, and not a means to another end" (Pojman, 2005). Aristotle can be viewed to have offered an appropriate manner to live, if such a thing subsists. He came up with eudaimonia through observing the virtues that were portrayed by people who seemed happy and flourish (Pojman, 2005). As it was, such people conducted themselves with some degree of courage, honesty, integrity, honor, fairness and rationality.

Therefore, how one ought to live is concerned with ethics, which develops an individual’s virtuous character (Pojman, 2005). Notably, if an individual develops such a personality, he or she understands the right thing to do and do it. ReferencesPojman, L. P. (2005). How should we live: An introduction to ethics. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth.