The Importance Of Living A Good Life

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The question of what it means to live a good life revolves around human nature all the time. Philosophers try to justify what a person needs to do to live the best life. Some philosophers argue happiness makes a life whole, and there are certain actions one takes to earn a good life. The next question these philosophers try to answer is whether a good life is comprised by living life in the pursuit of happiness and living justly. Plato, St Thomas, Marx, and Kant are among the philosophers that explored this question. Plato’s argument on happiness revolves around the city modeled on his “Republic”. The citizens in the city are the happiest, because they are able to achieve what they place value on. Plato also recognizes that in order to achieve …show more content…

Through a readjustment of economic conditions that would allow those who are poor or in the middle class to have their fair share of possessions fulfillment and meaning could be achieved. Marx is concerned with economic conditions in looking at the meaning of life, and believes the meaning of life can only be analyzed in materialistic terms. Therefore, Marx argues people are defined by what they do or make. In a capitalist system people are ultimately unhappy because they are unable to do what will fulfill them. Marx claims that if capitalism was overthrown it would bring about greater human happiness. In Marx famous quote, “labor is the source of happiness” he presents the importance of the material life. Marx’s view of happiness illustrates that it is the combination of creation and enjoyment. These philosophers offer a rounded perspective on achieving happiness. In examining these philosophers, I believe Marx is too focused on the materialistic items, and it is possible to be happy and not have anything. It is equally possible to be rich and unhappy. On the other perspective with the philosopher Kant, I do not believe that reason is the sole driving factor to achieve happiness. My views seem to align most with St Thomas and Plato. I agree that others may have different types of happiness depending on what they value, as Plato

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