3 Tips to live the Good Life

Aristotle & iPhones

The Greek philosopher Aristotle was a student of Plato, who in turn was a student of Socrates. He was a teacher of Alexander the Great and is seen as one of the greatest philosophers in the history of western philosophy.

Aristotle considered means and ends. Say you want the new iPhone, the iPhone is your end. How you get it, borrow/steal/save, is the means. However, if you get your iPhone that is itself a means to another end — making calls. Making calls is also a means to another end — staying in touch with friends. So is there an ultimate “end goal”? For Aristotle, the end goal was to live the good life and flourish.

He studied how to live the good life most notably in his work “Nicomachean Ethics” where he discussed how individuals should best live. So what tips can we take from Aristotle to live well today?

It could be your sports coach, school lecturer or business mentor but teachers should be valued. Aristotle believed that happiness and fulfilment arise from education. He even honoured teachers more than parents claiming that while parents gave you your life, educators give you the art of living well.

Aristotle was a firm believer in the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words”. So next time you’re talking about something you would like to achieve like running a marathon, do it rather than just discussing it.

Aristotle thought that happiness came more from well-developed character and mind with a modest amount of possessions, than someone with an excessive amount of possessions but a limited intellect. In other words, instead of going shopping and maxing out your credit card, consider learning a new skill or improve an existing talent.