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The Nature of Good Life

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Written Assignment 1;

The Nature of the Good Life

Greg

PHI-286-OL-008; JUN-2016

Thomas Edison State University

Abstract

This paper explores the ethical dilemma of happiness and the nature of good life. The paper is broken into two sections to support both parts of the first written assignment for Contemporary Ethics (PHI-286 from TESU; Thomas Edison State University). The first discussion emphasizes the differences between the ways we act in society, whether it is to support our own self-interest or for the greater good. Plato’s The Republic (Newton 2003) is the premise of the first section, which notes the moral dilemma of the nature of man from a normative standpoint. Juxtapose to the normative view is the empirical view, as claimed by Thucydides, that considers the ethics of imperialism. The second discussion weighs the biblical view against the Utilitarianism view of the individual in society, and how they should act. The biblical and Utilitarianism views agree that humans should act for the greater good of society, however each view differs in its derivation and outcome.

Section 1: Athenians The nature of the good life for centuries has been pondered among thousands of sophists. Is it better to live your life selfishly looking out for your own well-being or to look out for the improvement of the society in which you live? Thucydides (c. 421 B.C.E.) claims that is it best, for society, if those that are ‘strong’ enough to lead do so for the common good of society. If your will is convincing enough through manipulation of others or through mere presence for example, then you should be leading those around you towards the good of society, which may also be towards your own desires. Thucydides made all his claims from the roots of empirical evidence. Socrates through Plato (360 B.C.E) describes a different supposition. If the

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