What Is a Good Human Life and How Should It Be Lived Essay

What is a good human life and how should it be lived? Introduction The ancient philosophers had put much emphasis on the constitution of the human life and the manner in which it should be lived. From Aristotle to Plato and Socrates, all these philosophers had different views concerning the manner in which people should live with themselves and with each other. The aim of this paper is to explore the views of these three philosophers and then analyze where they compare and contrast with each other. The Human Life According to the Plato Republic Through the Republic, Plato sought to relate the life of an individual to that of the society as a whole. According to him, people show similar characteristics, act in the same deeds, and†¦show more content†¦The spirited soul comprises of the volition and will that perform the duties of the practical life as directed by reason. It does whichever thing that the intellect has established is good with the utmost courage (Abbot, 2009, p. 180). On the other hand, the appetitive soul constitutes of desires and emotions. This part of the soul is responsible for the feelings and wants that are numerous within the life a human being. Most of these feelings and wants undergo deferral upon rational pursuits in order to attain a productive measure of self control. In his own opinion, Plato argues that the harmonious performance of their duties by the three souls is the only condition that makes a human being live appropriately and justifiably. Therefore, the three souls must work jointly and should be interrelated for the benefit of an individual. Only then can the justice of an individual person come out. The Human Life According to Aristotle’s Ethics Aristotle relays his theory of good life for humans in the Nichomachean Ethics. He speaks of the good life as the happy one. According to him, good life rises above being amused and feeling happy about existence. 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