develop virtue by: How to live a flourishing life? 1. By examining things and thinking Ancient Greek philosophers were some more of the first thinkers who tried to answer the question. Plato believed that a human being who does not examine his or her life and Two of the most prominent ancient surroundings will not flourish. He said Greek philosophers were Plato and that humans can reason and must use it Aristotle. to become wiser in order to flourish.
The Greek philosophers called a 2. By masterly using reason
flourishing life eudaimonia. Eudaimonia is usually equated with happiness. Plato believed that a human is good if he or she uses his or her reason over For Plato and Aristotle, happiness is the his desires. result of eudaimonia or human flourishing. Limiting one's reason may result in negative consequences. Reasoning Eudaimonia or Human Flourishing = allows the control of one's self. Happiness If a human is able to control one's self Plato (428/427-348/347 Β.C.) through reason and act for the common good, then he or she will flourish. For Plato, all human beings naturally desire eudaimonia or human flourishing. 3. By living the four cardinal virtues Plato believed that there are four Plato believed that in order to flourish, cardinal virtues: one must have moral thought and virtuous action. In this case, virtue is Wisdom referred to as 'excellence'. Courage Temperance For Plato, the well-being of a human Justice individual must NOT depend on external goods (such as fame, wealth and For the virtue of wisdom, one must appearance). To live just for the sake of pursue learning that is based on fame, wealth, good appearance and curiosity. This would lead to more other external goods will not lead to efficiency and self-master which are flourishing. needed to have a fulfilling life. Courage is important in a just society Rationality is what differentiates humans because justice needs courageous from other animals. individuals to stand for what is right and Rationality allows humans to express, to correct what is wrong. be creative, or obey reason. Courage is also needed in order to face life's challenges. How does one become more virtuous? Temperance or self-restraint is important in society because it prevents For Aristotle, a virtue is a character trait corruption and chaos. that enables a person to flourish. A man without temperance will not Aristotle, like Plato, believed that flourish because lack of self-restraint humans through reason seek can lead to vices and violence. knowledge about the world. He believed that by gaining knowledge, humans will flourish. He called this "intellectual Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) virtue."
Aristotle argued that eudaimonia or Aristotle made an important distinction
human flourishing is the highest good of about knowledge and human flourishing. human beings. Human nature, according to Aristotle, There are two types of knowledge: has four aspects: physical, emotional, -theoretical knowledge or the knowledge social, and rational. about the nature of principles
1. Humans are physical beings. -practical knowledge or the knowledge
As physical beings, humans need air, of applying these principles water, food, rest, and exercise to keep the body functioning. Theoretical knowledge allows us to manipulate nature, however, without 2. Humans are emotional beings. practical knowledge, it cannot be Like other animals, humans have urges, actually done. wants, desires and reactions. Humans have emotional needs too. Thus, knowledge is important in life, but it is the application of this knowledge 3. Humans are social beings. that leads to flourishing. As social beings, it is inherent that humans need friendship, cooperation, Aside from intellectual virtue, the other and a sense of belongingness in society. virtue in life is the virtue of character.
4. Humans are rational beings.
Aristotle believed that in order to stability are all components of Human flourish, one must possess the 11 Flourishing. virtuous traits. HUMAN FLOURISHING ● Courage ● Modern Concept of Human ● Magnificence Flourishing ● Truthfulness ● Financial and Material Stability ● Justice ● Happiness and Life Satisfaction ● Temperance ● Mental and Physical Health ● Magnanimity ● Close Social Relationships ● Wittiness ● Character and Virtue ● Shame ● Meaning and Purpose ● Liberality ● Modern Concept of Human ● Patience Flourishing ● Friendliness 1. Flourishing is intrinsically worthwhile Flourishing is an intrinsic good, and that According to Aristotle, all virtues are flourishing is worth striving for. Flourishing is connected by phronesis or "practical intrinsically worthwhile". wisdom." It enables an individual to apply the appropriate virtue in a This is different from the Greek particular situation. Philosopher's point of view that human A virtuous life can be attained through flourishing is a means to an end goal which education and habit. is happiness.
In summary, when an individual 2. The actualization of the human potential
possesses intellectual virtues and Human flourishing is when an individual is optimally using his or her potentials and virtues of character, then, he will attain capabilities. eudaimonia or human flourishing. This is relative because every individual has different potential and encounters different Intellectual Virtues + Virtues of Character possibilities. Hence, different individuals' = Eudaimonia or Human Flourishing level of flourishing cannot be compared.
Criteria for Human Flourishing
Human Flourishing: A Modern World Concept a. Life as a whole In considering an individual's flourishing, his Modern Concept of Human Flourishing or her whole life must be considered. 'Whole life', in this case, means the totality of In Psychology, happiness, life satisfaction, human life, not just some parts. mental and physical health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social b. Human flourishing is a dynamic state relationships and financial and material Human flourishing is dynamic. It requires an Through science, the antibiotic nature of on-going developmental process to Penicillum notatum was discovered. actualize the human potential. In other Through technology, the penicillin medicine words, one must continuously develop to was developed and provided cure to many become a flourishing human being.. diseases.
c. Objective Goods Progress in Science and Technology had
There are things that are good for many positive impacts on human life such everybody, such as good social as the following: relationships. These good things or -made work easier, efficient or practical objective goods, if developed will contribute -made us happy or entertained to human flourishing. -kept us healthy and safe -helped to address social issues and The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of concerns Science and Technology -helped in the development of human talent and abilities Aristotle also distinguished theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. Example Science is a systematic body of knowledge The development of social media made it that seeks to explain and understand life easier to communicate with people. and the world. Musical instruments helped in developing musical talent and provided entertainment Role of Science and Technology in and happiness to many. Human Flourishing SCIENCE The development of medicines helped in -comparable to theoretical knowledge combating diseases, hence in prolonging -explains the nature or principles behind an life. object, event or phenomenon. However, science and technology can be TECHNOLOGY exploited which can result in serious -comparable to practical knowledge applies negative impact. -the theoretical knowledge in order to have an output Technological developments made possible industrialization. In some cases, The Human Person Flourishing in Terms industrialization made humans become of Science and Technology 'machine-like' workers, depriving them of the full actualization of their potential. Scientific and technological discoveries enable humanity to gain intellectual virtues. Technological developments also caused pollution. Pollution in turn caused diseases that caused lives. Technologies such as nuclear weapons also caused the Example: extermination of humans.
