Classical Wisdom Speaks Aristotle and the Good Life
Aug 19, 2025
Lorraine Besser, a philosophy professor at Middlebury College and author of The Art of the Interesting, explores timeless insights from Aristotle on living well. She discusses how Aristotle's ideas on virtue and eudaimonia influence our modern views on happiness. Delving into 'psychological richness,' Besser emphasizes the value of novel experiences for personal growth. She encourages listeners to find depth in the mundane, transforming everyday moments into opportunities for fulfillment, and highlights the balance between focus and embracing novelty for a richer life.
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Aristotle Vs Modern Flourishing
- Aristotle's eudaimonia emphasized virtue, but modern psychology treats flourishing more as meaning and achievement.
- This shift downplays virtue while keeping reason, purpose, and meaning central.
Psychological Richness Is A Third Bucket
- Psychological richness is a distinct dimension of the good life beyond happiness and meaning.
- Research shows it involves experiences that impact the mind differently than pleasure or purpose.
What Makes An Experience Psychologically Rich
- Psychologically rich experiences involve complexity, challenge, and novelty that spark new thoughts and emotions.
- These experiences change perspective by allowing ideas to bloom and flow in the mind.
