My guide to life was written over 2300 years ago by Aristotle. In the Nicomachean Ethics, "eudaimonia" is the good life. The word is usually translated as "happiness," but this is unfortunate because "happiness" has such a debased connotation for us. For Aristotle, it was not a temporary feeling of elation, but a state of thriving or flourishing that characterized a whole life. To thrive requires mental and physical health as well as a modicum of prosperity, but it is much more than that. Aristotle recognized that humans are both rational and social creatures and therefore that a whole life requires that we develop our faculties for rational thought and that we learn to interact with others in a mutually beneficial way. To do these things we need to practice the rational and social virtues. In other words, we need to hone our abilities to think critically, i.e., to learn to draw inferences when, and only when, they are warranted. Also, by learning to practice such virtues as justice, courage, self-control, and generosity, we maximize our chances of interacting fruitfully with other people. I would add to Aristotle's account the need to be committed to certain ideals and causes to the benefit of other sentient beings.
Especially like Professor Silverman on the purpose being to to that which effects the happiness of others. As started writing it, spell check suggested, without benefit of ChatGPT, “happy news”. I’ll accept doing that is a good purpose, too, though lack a mathematical proof to back it up, so far.
You, my friend, are a national treasure and a giant to all freethinkers and secular humanists. And funny. And a truly good guy. Now, if only you were better looking. Hello to Ms. Fratepietro.
My guide to life was written over 2300 years ago by Aristotle. In the Nicomachean Ethics, "eudaimonia" is the good life. The word is usually translated as "happiness," but this is unfortunate because "happiness" has such a debased connotation for us. For Aristotle, it was not a temporary feeling of elation, but a state of thriving or flourishing that characterized a whole life. To thrive requires mental and physical health as well as a modicum of prosperity, but it is much more than that. Aristotle recognized that humans are both rational and social creatures and therefore that a whole life requires that we develop our faculties for rational thought and that we learn to interact with others in a mutually beneficial way. To do these things we need to practice the rational and social virtues. In other words, we need to hone our abilities to think critically, i.e., to learn to draw inferences when, and only when, they are warranted. Also, by learning to practice such virtues as justice, courage, self-control, and generosity, we maximize our chances of interacting fruitfully with other people. I would add to Aristotle's account the need to be committed to certain ideals and causes to the benefit of other sentient beings.
Another excellent article which I republished on my website.
http://churchandstate.org.uk/2023/01/the-purpose-of-human-existence-why-we-are-here/
Especially like Professor Silverman on the purpose being to to that which effects the happiness of others. As started writing it, spell check suggested, without benefit of ChatGPT, “happy news”. I’ll accept doing that is a good purpose, too, though lack a mathematical proof to back it up, so far.
Ed,
Thanks so much for your kind words about me. I am humbled.
You, my friend, are a national treasure and a giant to all freethinkers and secular humanists. And funny. And a truly good guy. Now, if only you were better looking. Hello to Ms. Fratepietro.
The same to you, friend.