Philosophy Now Forum

Posted: **Fri Jan 30, 2015 7:47 pm**

What are the components of the ideal life? It would, agreeing with Socrates, be an examined life. It would, Aristotle concluded, be comprised of eudaimonia and phronesis; happiness and practical wisdom.

Eudaimonia connotes contentment, serenity, and an attitude of gratitude, as well as a capacity to enjoy life, and a deep appreciation for having life and all the joys that go with it. The word has lately been translated as: human flourishing due to the exercise of excellence. It is a state of well-being that transcends mere pleasure.

From an article in Wikipedia we learn that the psychologist C. D. Ryff, building on Aristotelian ideals of belonging and benefiting others, flourishing, thriving and exercising excellence, she conceptualized eudaimonia as a six-factor structure :
1. Autonomy
2. Personal growth
3. Self-acceptance
4. Purpose in life
5. Environmental mastery
6. Positive relations with others.
Importantly, she also produced scales for assessing mental health. See: C. D. Ryff. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069-1081. Also see: C. D. Ryff and B. H. Singer. (2006). Best news yet on the six-factor model of well-being. Social Science Research, 35, 1103-1119.

Also relevant are the findings of Abraham Maslow as he did research on Self-actualization, q.v. Aristotle gave much emphasis to character. To him a good character is arête. It suggests one who knows how to be in balance, and has moral courage, honesty and authenticity. To Zeno, the Stoic, eudaimonia means: a good flow of life – today we would speak of this as ‘being in the flow.’ It also means: living in agreement with nature, and with natural law. In the Hartman/Katz paradigm all these character traits are what follows when one Intrinsically-values himself or herself.

Practical Wisdom today is analyzed as Extrinsic Value in my paradigm for Ethics. E-Value when it defines a strength of character implies being result-oriented. If you have this quality you would know how to get things done, you would be focused on a worthwhile goal, and you actually would DO it, rather than procrastinating. You would have what the French call savoir faire. You would be skillful in diplomacy: soothing out rough spots in human relations, settling quarrels, negotiating agreements, finding common ground, closing perception gaps.

If you have practical wisdom (in its modern reinterpretation) you would possess prudence and you would be accurately described as ‘generous and helpful,’ as having just the right amount of skepticism: You could not be easily conned yet you would be alert to opportunities for mutual benefit. You would not close the door to a good deal too soon nor too late.

Practical Wisdom leads to a readiness to cooperate, participate in creative collaboration, and to harmonious human relations. It means a willingness to take on some responsibility and be held accountable for it. It means possessing good will, and having a problem-solving attitude. And it includes knowing how to stay healthy morally and physically.

Comments? Questions? Updates?

Posted: **Fri Jan 30, 2015 8:52 pm**

We belong to a community which is our natural environment (the land, with its clean air, its flora and its fauna) which is our habitat.

We must Intrinsically-value this community (our ecology) if we are going to be of good character, i.e., if we know, and live, our Ethics.

Do we want a good character? Do you?

"Those who dwell ...among the natural mysteries of Earth are never alone nor weary of life." ---- Rachel Carlson.

Without good men and women you cannot have a good society. "You cannot make men good by law" said C.S. Lewis. "The courage and unselfishness of individuals is what will take to make any system work properly."

Do you see that it is in your best interest to cooperate and collaborate with others in order to get large achievements done that you couldn't do by yourself alone? If yes, then what can we do to facilitate cooperation, and the ethical life that goes with it?

For example, what can we do to promote the concept that all new start-ups should be organized as a workers cooperative? [This, in the U.S. at least, means no corporate taxes.]

Do you have any proposals for key reforms or policies that will markedly improve society in an ethical direction? Let's hear from you.

Posted: **Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:53 am**

I think point 4 is a moot point, but then Aristotle was Alexander the Great's tutor in Macedonia. One has to say he was quite unwise.

Alexander to Aristotle, greeting. You have not done well to publish your books of oral doctrine; for what is there now that we excel others in, if those things which we have been particularly instructed in be laid open to all? For my part, I assure you, I had rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent of my power and dominion. Farewell.

That said he was quite unwise only in that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As for how to be in balance he was out of date The Chinese had done that many centuries before, and with less verbosity. Still he was a great thinker if not the wisest of dogs or lap servants.

Modern wisdom is not defined by ethics, it is defined by moral if not ethical action.

That said:

Taoism (or Daoism) is a philosophical, ethical, political and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source of, and the force behind, everything that exists.

While Taoism drew its cosmological notions from the tenets of the School of Yin Yang, the Tao Te Ching, a compact and ambiguous book containing teachings attributed to Laozi (Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ; Wade–Giles: Lao Tzu), is widely considered its keystone work. Together with the writings of Zhuangzi, these two texts build the philosophical foundation of Taoism deriving from the 8 Hexagrams of Fu Xi in the 2700s BCE in China.

Taoist propriety and ethics may vary depending on the particular school, but in general they tend to emphasize wu-wei (action through non-action), "naturalness", simplicity, spontaneity, and the Three Treasures: compassion, moderation, and humility.

Taoism has had profound influence on Chinese culture in the course of the centuries, and clerics of institutionalised Taoism (Chinese: 道士; pinyin: dàoshi) usually take care to note distinction between their ritual tradition and the customs and practices found in Chinese folk religion as these distinctions sometimes appear blurred. Chinese alchemy (especially neidan), Chinese astrology, Chan (Zen) Buddhism, several martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine, feng shui, and many styles of qigong have been intertwined with Taoism throughout history. Beyond China, Taoism also had influence on surrounding societies in Asia.

After Laozi and Zhuangzi, the literature of Taoism grew steadily and was compiled in form of a canon—the Daozang—which was published at the behest of the emperor. Throughout Chinese history, Taoism was several times nominated as a state religion. After the 17th century, however, it fell from favour.

Today, Taoism is one of five religions officially recognized in China, and although it does not travel readily from its Asian roots, claims adherents in a number of societies.[1] Taoism also has sizable communities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and in Southeast Asia.

A Chinese philosopher defines Taoism thusly: “early forms come from understanding and experience of the Tao. Experience of the Tao is an irreducible element of the formation and transformation of Chinese experience of the ultimate”.[2]

Taoism wiki

I have to agree with Doc's post too. If I don't he pierces my nipples with horn and then hangs me from the roof on my nipples.

Suffice to say God never lies, and in The Bible he said we have free will. If he was lying, man is a pretty atypical listener to any god.

Practical Wisdom leads to a readiness to cooperate, participate in creative collaboration, and to harmonious human relations. It means a willingness to take on some responsibility and be held accountable for it. It means possessing good will, and having a problem-solving attitude. And it includes knowing how to stay healthy morally and physically.

Practical wisdom does, but since when has any man been wise let alone practiced what he preached?

As for good will where walks free will?

If God is any example (and assuming mankind received his wisdom well) in his inconsistency he is a dead beat dad. And who listens to the indolent?

Posted: **Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:31 pm**

Hi, Blaggard

Youu ask: As for good will where walks free will?

I'd like to respond but I'm not sure I understand the question.

Would you mind clarifying your question?

To get into a discussion of the concept "free will" would be a change of the topic. Let's not go there. In order to have a better sense of "good will" I would be grateful if you would define what you mean by it, so as to see if we both are on the same page with that concept.

Posted: **Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:14 pm**

Just Laws
Open Minds
Animal Rights
Critical Thinking
Regular Exercise
Financial Prudence
Reciprocal Altruism
Freedom Of Speech
A Meritocratic Society
Personal Responsibility
Universal Egalitarianism
Environmental Awareness

Posted: **Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:27 am**

Thanks to all contributors for your good ideas

Posted: **Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:37 pm**

In the 4th paragraph of page 5 in M. C. Katz - ETHICS: A College Course http://www.hartmaninstitute.org/wp-cont ... course.pdf you will note a reference to Aristotle, and his teacher, Plato. You will see what their priorities were, which values they placed above others.

Compare this with what you know about Ethics today to understand how primitive the thinking was in those ancient days. We wouldn't dream of consulting Aristotle's tract on biology if we wanted, say, to know how many teeth a normal horse has, for he was totally-wrong about that. He didn't bother to go over to a tamed horse, open the mouth, and actually count the teeth. Yet still today we often take most all he said about ethics as the highest authority - if we are adherents of Virtue Ethics. This is not advisable: we need to supplement what we learn from Aristotle with what we learn from John Stuart Mill, what we learn from Kant, when he writes on ethics, what we can learn from the Tao of Laotze, from Mencius in ancient China, http://www.iep.utm.edu/mencius/ from Shinto, from buddhist ethics, etc. And we need to integrate it all into one comprehensive theory. That is what I am attempting to start to do. I require your help, your collaboration, in order to do it well.

So how can you help? Do you want to cooperate on this project? If you become a teacher of Moral Philosophy at least you can transmit the central concepts to your students or pupils - in language they can grasp. Phrase these ideas at their vocabulary level.

Open for comment....

Posted: **Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:59 pm**

Prof, to put it very simply, don't hurt yourself, and don't hurt others. You determine what hurts you, and others determine what hurts them.

Posted: **Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:28 pm**

thedoc wrote:Prof, to put it very simply, don't hurt yourself, and don't hurt others. You determine what hurts you, and others determine what hurts them.

Well said! Thank you so very much, thedoc. You did make it simple.

How about - instead of Do no harm - we emphasize: Do good !!!

I referred to Mencius earlier. (He lived circa 348 B.C.E.) As he observed human nature, and as he studied the findings of others with regard to what virtually-all human beings have in common, he concluded that human beings share an innate goodness that either can be cultivated through education and self-discipline or squandered through neglect and negative influences, but never lost altogether.

Today, the Axiogenics teachers (life coaches) of adults show with precision how to 'cultivate the innate goodness', how to think clearly about life decisions, success, and happiness, how to do good, be good, and make a difference in this world. See what they have to offer at: http://axiogenics.com/about-axiogenics/

Posted: **Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:14 am**

prof wrote:
thedoc wrote:Prof, to put it very simply, don't hurt yourself, and don't hurt others. You determine what hurts you, and others determine what hurts them.
Well said! Thank you so very much, thedoc. You did make it simple.

How about - instead of Do no harm - we emphasize: Do good !!!

I referred to Mencius earlier. (He lived circa 348 B.C.E.) As he observed human nature, and as he studied the findings of others with regard to what virtually-all human beings have in common, he concluded that human beings share an innate goodness that either can be cultivated through education and self-discipline or squandered through neglect and negative influences, but never lost altogether.

Today, the Axiogenics teachers (life coaches) of adults show with precision how to 'cultivate the innate goodness', how to think clearly about life decisions, success, and happiness, how to do good, be good, and make a difference in this world. See what they have to offer at: http://axiogenics.com/about-axiogenics/

Doing good for others might be a bit more difficult, because without adequate knowledge, how do you know what is good for others. I would think "do no harm" is a bit easier, and easier to accomplish with less knowledge. Some people (like Henry) just want to be left alone without the busybodies trying to "help" them.

Posted: **Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:22 am**

prof wrote: Today, the Axiogenics teachers (life coaches) of adults show with precision how to 'cultivate the innate goodness', how to think clearly about life decisions, success, and happiness, how to do good, be good, and make a difference in this world. See what they have to offer at: http://axiogenics.com/about-axiogenics/

That's all well and good for those who need it, but some people (like myself) don't want some evangelist telling them how to live. I'll make my own mistakes, thankyou.

Posted: **Wed Feb 04, 2015 12:25 am**

prof wrote:What are the components of the ideal life? It would, agreeing with Socrates, be an examined life. It would, Aristotle concluded, be comprised of eudaimonia and phronesis; happiness and practical wisdom.

Comments? Questions? Updates?

Ignorance is bliss, some people examine their own lives and don't like what they find.

Posted: **Fri Feb 06, 2015 6:08 pm**

I would argue that the human race defies the unprecedented economic pessimism we notice around us these days. Human society has experienced, and continues to experience, a rapid and continuous change, unlike any other animal group. Ideas "have sex" too, so to speak. Ideas needed to meet and mate for culture to turn cumulative, and, writes Matt Ridley in his recent book, THE RATIONAL OPTIMIST ...how human progress evolves, “there was a point in human pre-history when big-brained, cultural, learning people for the first time began to exchange things with each other and that once they started doing so, culture suddenly became cumulative, and the great headlong experiment of human economic ‘progress’ began.”

Participants in the exchanges improved their lives by trading food tools, and especially good ideas. Ridley believes it is probable that humanity will be better off in the next century than it is today, and so will the ecology of our planet. He dares the human race to embrace change, be rationally optimistic, and strive for an improved life for all people.

See also: http://www.amazon.com/The-Innovators-Ha ... 41-8669714

Have you checked out the very-recent book by Walter Isaacson, THE INNOVATORS. You'll love reading it !! Order this book or request that your local library stock it. It relates a beautiful and true story of how big government and lone individuals collaborated to provide us with a tool, the internet, that today we cannot live without

It was all inspired by Ada Lovelace, the first programmer, Lord Byron's daughter, who had the imagination to conceive of a thinking machine, and how it would enhance human capacity IF we increase our cooperation with each other as a species, and use this tool ethically, for the ultimate moral purpose of providing a quality life for one and all. Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, and Schiller, the German poet, understood this too. Ethics needs science, and science needs Ethics; the arts and humanities must be valued just as highly as technical knowledge

We are all brothers and sisters and some day we will recognize this and live as a harmonious, functional family.

See this video: http://www.c-span.org/search/?searchtyp ... innovators

Your viewpoint? Did you enjoy the book - or did you hear Isascson speak on CSpan TV? Any comments?

Posted: **Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:36 pm**

In the 2nd paragraph of the o.p., it speaks of flourishing.

What is "flourishing"?

Michael Shermer believes that it at least means: having adequate sustenance, safety, shelter, bonding, and social relations for physical and mental health.

Does Ethics require human flourishing? Can "flourishing" be better defined?

What do you think?

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