The Thomistic Institute Leaving Loneliness, Building Friendship, and Fostering Human Flourishing | Professor Scott Cleveland
Dec 29, 2023
Prof. Scott Cleveland discusses the importance of pursuing human flourishing and building good friendships. He explores Aristotle's concept of the final end and the limitations of sensory pleasure. The podcast delves into different views of friendship and the good life, emphasizing the importance of virtues and true fulfillment. It also discusses spiritual apathy, the destructive nature of envy, and ways to foster charity and cultivate friendship.
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Loneliness Kills Like Smoking
- Loneliness is as harmful as smoking or alcoholism, greatly impacting health and flourishing.
- Our happiness and health depend significantly on the quality of our relationships and friendships.
Aristotle's Chief Good Explained
- Every action aims at some end, ultimately seeking a chief good not pursued as a means.
- Aristotle identifies this chief good as human flourishing or happiness, the final goal of life.
Pleasure Alone Fails Friendship
- A life of sensory pleasure alone is insufficient for human flourishing according to Aristotle.
- Viewing friends merely as sources of pleasure risks shallow, unfulfilling friendships and dissatisfaction.