Evolving Philosophical Journal 0: What Makes a Good Life?

What Makes a Good Life?

Impermanent as we are in this ever-changing world, being alive and living the life we see fit is above all, precious. It is best to make the most of life as we are but walking on a borrowed time, with no takebacks and returns. There are moments that life does not always turn out how I plan it, but I just got to live the best I can in that situation. Life is how we make it, and a good life for me is living life with a purpose. A purposeful life is a constant work of reinventing myself to be better, building a strong relationship with myself and those around me, having the freedom to do the things I want, and rest easy in the thought that when it is time to go, there is no baggage too heavy to carry.

The readings in the module helped me a lot to understand more about my life’s choices. How the Philosopher's ideas introduced in the course resonates or contrasts mine. I may have a poor understanding of what these gentlemen laid on the table, I just kind of reflect on what I feel touches some of the aspects of my life.

Plato. According to Plato, the physical world we comprehend is just an imitation of the Forms. The Forms represents how things should be and how human should be. To understand what the Form is, is our duty. To relate how understanding the Forms is essential to us, Plato through the dialogue in the Apology shows that Socrates chose the punishment of death rather than stop philosophizing. The Apology is written by Plato to defend Socrates against the charges put on him and chronicles the event that took place at the trial. Although Plato did not feature himself in the dialogue, he shows that Socrates chose death rather than stopping himself from gaining knowledge. It is our duty to understand and question the things around us. To stop philosophizing is to stop gaining knowledge and a life without knowledge is not worth living. This shows Socrates’ way of life, depicted through the writings of Plato. Socrates stands firm and true to what he purposed himself to do, accepting death in the process. I kind of like to highlight how strong of an impression that left me not just for myself but to the significance of the pursuit of knowledge.

I admire Socrates’ stand in the face of trial and imminent execution. Socrates determined how to live his life until the end. He placed a mission on himself to seek knowledge, to know and question the things around him even if it means gaining enemies and death in the process. He would rather die than to not follow through with his life’s purpose. If I were as determined as Socrates, there were no sleepless nights thinking of missed chances and what-ifs. I could be happier if I am firm with my terms, but too many “yes” has been said to what could have been a “no”. As I said above, a good life for me is to have the freedom to live as I pleased but I do not have the conviction strong enough to uphold my choices.

The experience I am about to share may not speak as much but it is to this day a sad reality of how I saw myself back then.  I graduated with a degree in Nursing and had to let go of my dream to practice as one because of not persevering through after I became a young mom. There was a lot of prejudice at that time, and I know it still echoes to this day. I kind of knew the looks and comments I will be getting from my peers. Putting too much value on what others think hinders me to pursue my career. I should not have let anyone dictate my course and did what I was supposed to do back then. I found my purpose renewed by going back to school now. I may not have the post-nominal title of R.N but I enjoyed working as an Office Administrator since and to be able to lean on the medical aspect of Office Administration is a huge plus for me. I will start working on my goal, little by little, and this time I will hear myself louder. 

Aristotle. According to Aristotle, “the highest and most satisfying form of life possible to man is “the contemplative life.” (para 29). All human activity is directed towards an end which is happiness, and the highest form of happiness can be obtained by reflection. No matter how short of an interval a person practiced a contemplative life, it is a privilege to do it. Happiness is something that we constantly work on as we go on living and a contemplative life the way I understand it is to think rationally, being humans as we are. All our actions should be rationally thought of to obtain happiness leading to a good life.

I feel hopeful in the thought that slowing down is not by all means falling short in my responsibility. I am glad to have come across Aristotle’s view on living a good life. While I do not thoroughly understand the extent of contemplation that could make a happy life, but I do think exercising my intellect by retracing, rethinking, pausing to slowly take in the demands of survival will help me better see where I should direct most of my efforts. To what end I should work vigorously to obtain the satisfaction for me to be able to say I am living a good and purposeful life. 

Living a contemplative life seems impossible for me to practice daily. A life of ceaseless contemplation in the seemingly unstoppable chaos of the world is not at all doable for me but when the pandemic hit, I had the opportunity to trace back where I want to be. During those quiet times, I contemplated and reflected. While the time stopped for me as I was lost in contemplation, I gain clarity of thoughts in the process. I was not even the least scared that I get left behind as the wheel of time continues. I just knew those moments in silence will give me a huge boost to catch up in no time for I know now where to take my first step to better myself. Sometimes, it would only take a short pause to hear your inner voice to turn your life around. I am not there yet, but I will continue evaluating myself, reflect on my actions to achieve my potential as a human being.

Epicurus. Epicurus views a good life as to obtaining happiness which is consists of “bodily ease and mental tranquility”. A happy life is free of unnecessary desire and living in simplicity with just the basic needs of food and good friends with little to no need of the external conditions like a good income, job, marriage. It shows that a good life is built on good connections, for us to be fully happy, we need to have someone to share that happiness with. Epicurus further notes that “friendship is one of the most useful means of procuring a secure, tranquil, and happy life." (para 20). To fully grasp that happiness, we also must analyze our life to maximize our capacity and to improve ourselves making not only us happier but those around us happy as well.

Peace of mind is priceless that no amount of richness can buy. I agree with this to a hundred percent. Building connections to share that happiness with is also a yes for me. Living life free of worries is what makes a good life; however, I do not agree with Epicurus’s view that external success has little or nothing to do with happiness. These things, albeit temporary, bring me happiness. Life is what we make it, and happiness is a work in progress, it is what makes life worthwhile as we go on living. No matter how little, how short-lasting, happiness is happiness. I acknowledge that nothing beats pure and lasting happiness, but feelings are subjective to the person who experience it. If a $1K worth of pen makes me happy and if I have the money to spare, I will buy it. 

The emphasis on building connection and friendship in the doctrine couldn’t be truer since Epicurus’s glory and until today. A good life is built on a good relationship. No one is truly ever self-sufficient; one must rely on others to survive. I came to Canada in 2019 with my husband and daughter. I couldn’t imagine myself all alone in a totally new environment and I know it is hard for those who came by themselves. I am just glad that the people I have come across are all nice and polite making our first year here better. It would be impossible to get a warm welcome if I shut myself away from people. Building a good relationship starts with a good conversation. Finding support in a new environment makes our first few years easier. 

Epictetus. The Enchiridion is a collection of Epictetus’s advice on how to live well.  The highlight for me is the advice on the things that we can and cannot control. The things we can control are […] whatever it is that is in our power. “Within our power are whatever affairs are our own.” Things that we cannot control are those outside our power. “Beyond our power are […] whatever are not properly our own affairs”. (para 1). It is important to know these things for us to be happy. It tells me to direct my work on things I can control and if I determine an event that is happening outside my power, I must be prepared to say that it has nothing to do with me. 

I strongly agree with Epictetus’s view on working towards things that we have the means to change or control, however, rejecting things that are happening around me just because it is out of my control does not sit well with me. I always believe that things are interconnected, we should be sensitive to both the good and bad that are going on around us. Being able to acknowledge and see the things that put me at a disadvantage is one way for me to re-evaluate myself and strive to work harder next time. Natural disaster for one is obviously out of our control but the painful experience we get from it is what makes our guiding lesson and learn from it. We should not avoid the reality of a certain circumstance just because it is painful, and it is sad. How do we define happiness if we don’t experience sadness in the first place?

When typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, I was so powerless and helpless thinking I can’t do anything for my family who was there trying to survive the onslaught. They were at doors of death, and I was far from them. If I turn my back thinking that typhoon and the distance that divide us were out of my control, and I should say it does not concern me, I will not be able to forgive myself. I spent countless sleepless nights trying to find ways to reconnect with them, to find out if they all survived. I tried to find ways in the seemingly uncontrollable circumstance, stressed and exhausted but it is okay, because I care and because it concerns me a lot.  I will work hard to find my way in difficult situations, a good life is a life I live in earnest, for myself and for my loved ones. Being there when someone needs me and not turning my back in their most difficult times is also happiness. 

Augustine: The City of God is written by Augustine to answer the pagan’s claim that Christianity is the reason for the fall of Rome. Augustine said there are two cities, the city of man and the city of God. A city built by man and men who only love themselves, no matter how strong, will eventually fall. A city built in the foundation of God, built by men who love God, is sturdy and made to last. Augustine believes that a blessed life is a life that seeks God, and if we seek God (wisdom) we will be blessed, as quoted “[n]ow, if wisdom is God, who made all things, as is attested by the divine authority and truth, then the philosopher is a lover of God”. (pg 306).

Sometimes it is difficult to seek God every day as I try to catch up with the demands of survival. Looking back, after all the hustle, I never get far, I achieved nothing except exhaustion and emptiness. I feel guilty coming across some of the quotes from the reading as I was once a dweller in the earthly city looking only at feeble and passing rewards. 

As I shared above, I became a mother at a young age. I am still dealing with my own immaturity, early ’20s aren’t adult enough yet (at least for me) and I became suddenly responsible for another life. The support was there from my parents and my husband, but I still get insecure about a whole lot of things. It does not help that my husband, the same as me at that time, only started his life too. I refused to talk to anyone about those thoughts thinking I will burden them unnecessarily, that they slowly ate away my positive views on life. I just had a beautiful wake-up call; I should say light in the tunnel when a friend got married, bringing me back to church. How did I forget God was up there? I seek God in my life again. I am still a work in progress, I have not finished building my City of God yet, but I am trying, a little step of the way.

Aquinas. According to St. Aquinas, God is the cause of all being, goodness, and every other perfection. He also mentioned that happiness can be obtained in the knowledge of God. The way I understand it is knowing God is knowing the ultimate happiness and if we seek that perfection in what we do and, in our lives, we must look up to God. 

I feel loved knowing that the perfect God loves an imperfect person like me. I should try and learn more about God and apply those learnings in my daily life. I admit that going to church is hard these days, praying is always forgotten, and just by thanking God is oftentimes not said. If I were to live a good life, I should behold God in my life.

I used to be a part of a religious organization back home, admittedly, I joined because my parents told me, and I am glad I did. I felt inspired by the shared declaration in the group on how serving the Lord changed their lives. I felt the same during the ugliest stage of my life and I learned that hard work is always best coupled with prayers and entrusting the rest to the Lord. I find that if I do that, I will gain peace of mind knowing, the Lord knows what is best for me for He is the beginning of all things good.

Hume. In the dialogue concerning Natural Religion, Hume, through the character of Philo questions that if God is benevolent and merciful, why there is suffering in the world. Whatever God wills, will be executed, and looking at his goodness, why there are humans that are not happy, did God not will their happiness? Philo goes on to examine God’s mercy and benevolence on men. It is like saying if we look at the world with all the suffering and evil, can we look at God as such? If we are made in God’s image and likeness, why does he allow suffering?

I feel sorry for someone who thinks like Philo. Why do you associate the benevolence of God with the action of man? There is God but humans are responsible for their actions, we were made rational to think things through. We can never have the full understanding of what God is with our humanity but if you view that God is good, that he is merciful and kind, would you not act like one? Our action reflects our thoughts, and I am what I want to be, and I will choose kindness, no matter how hard life gets.

A good life is built on a good relationship, and a good relationship is not possible without kindness. There are a lot of instances in my life where I am confronted with disrespect, but I choose to not respond with the same negativity. I admit sometimes it is just easy to lash back out but what would I get in return? I just keep in mind that; my actions will inspire what is around me. If I spread kindness, I will receive kindness back.

Leibniz. According to Leibniz, the existence of evil brought about goodness in the world. God can totally make the world free of evil, but it does not necessarily mean that the world will be better without. God predestined everything that unfolds on the earth, so He created the best possible world for us. God is the architect of all things, does not necessarily will evilness and suffering to happen. It just proves that God did not create evil as he does not will it. If a man is unhappy due to the physical evil that befalls him, it is for the man to appreciate goodness after and if God permits sin, it is only a necessity to produce the good.

I felt thankful to have lived in a world that God created to be the best. The existence of suffering in the world is brought about by our choices, where there is light, there is darkness. It is up to us, rational beings as we are to choose where to stand. While it is true that there is only a little goodness in evil, we must not forget that we can never truly cherish what is good without suffering and we can never truly say what is good without the basis of what is evil. It does not imply that for us to see goodness, we must sin first. The knowledge of evil and the bad it brings will help us steer away from it.

To be free from suffering, we must choose our battles wisely. While we can never predestine what is ahead of us, it is best to always walk on the path of good. I always try to uphold what is right but admittedly, I have never gotten better at it. God created the best for us, it is up to me to maintain it as such.

The reflection, from Plato to Leibniz all taught me that the purpose of man is to know God, and knowing God is knowing happiness. Human as I am, I will never be able to comprehend what God is, but it is enough to explore my purpose according to what is morally right, according to what is good. God is wisdom, God is benevolent, and God is the beginning of all that exists. Wisdom is happiness, what is good is happiness and happiness is what makes a good life. To obtain that happiness, I must seek and behold God as I continue and live a purposeful life.

 

Penned on Nov 05, 2021. MRMP