

Philosophical Tools for Living the Good Life
326 snips Dec 25, 2024
In this enlightening discussion, philosophers Meghan Sullivan and Paul Blaschko from the University of Notre Dame share insights from their book on living a meaningful life. They explore virtue ethics and the significance of intentions, emphasizing the balance between love and work. The duo highlights the art of asking 'strong questions' to foster deep conversations and truth-seeking. They also delve into the concepts of eudaimonia, moral identity, and the vital role of attention in nurturing relationships, weaving ancient wisdom into modern life.
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Virtue Ethics: A Self-Improvement System
- Virtue ethics is a 2,500-year-old self-improvement system.
- It focuses on developing traits that help you fulfill your function as a human.
Aristotle's Focus on Human Function
- Aristotle, a key figure in virtue ethics, believed the purpose of human life is central to ethical questions.
- He suggests examining what makes humans unique, like our ability to reason, to determine our function.
Eudaimonia: Flourishing Through Reason
- Human flourishing (eudaimonia) involves using reason to reflect on and make decisions about the good life.
- Aristotle believed achieving eudaimonia requires using our capacity for reason.