Aristotle and Plato's Views on the Good Life

This article explores the differing views of Aristotle and Plato on the good life, with a focus on the role of luck and effort, stability, and happiness. While Aristotle believed that both luck and effort were necessary for a good life, Plato emphasized the importance of stability and invulnerability to chance. Both philosophers agreed that happiness was ultimately beyond the control of the individual, but this view was challenged by Epictetus. The article draws on a range of sources to provide a comprehensive overview of these complex philosophical ideas.

Running Head: Philosophy
Philosophy
[Document subtitle]

Philosophy
Aristotle thought that while people do have control on themselves, luck also plays a
significant role in leading the good life. He displays the medium position in between the two
extreme opinions (Kuninski, 2006). The first opinion says that luck is all that matters and
effort does not. And the second view is which says effort is all that matters for a good life
and luck does not. Now for Aristotle, he believed in both. He claimed that luck and effort
both are equally vital for the person to live his life nicely (Macaro, 2005).
According to him, the luck is all opinion was wrong. To live well is the kind of act that is
performed by the human beings. Since, it is performed, then one must become active and
should apply efforts for that (MAJITHIA, 1999). In case if the effort does not matter, then
human beings will be like babies or object who just can’t live a good life or survive. Then
also a good life needs success in the activities performed and not just activities are to be
attempted. Similarly, the person is not able to live a good life if he or she keeps on sleeping.
When the person receives appreciation and praise, then only a person is living a good life.
That is what Aristotle’s thoughts were. But in reality, life is more than this. Most of the
people should have a good life this was their claim by Aristotle (Clark, 1993). The people
who do not do good or perform ethical actions, life will never be good to them as they would
always feel that trauma or depression from their acts. For such people life can never be good
even when they are leading a wealthy and healthy life. From inside it would be hollow. The
fourth claim of Aristotle was that the life which is good must be still and stable. While a
person can lose good life, this can happen when misfortune happens. Otherwise, when one
person has good life, it cannot be taken from that person. Like it will be very hard to do so.
These are the reasons, Aristotle thought that effort also matters with the luck (Armon &
Dawson, 2002).
Whereas Plato, who was the tutor of Aristotle claimed that good life needs trying to be
satisfied as far as it is possible. Plato thought that the activities which should be done by the
people are to be as stable and invulnerable to chance.
They both disagreed on a lot of things but also, they both agreed that happiness is in the end
beyond the control of the person. This agreement was also disagreed by Epictetus who
claimed that happiness is in control of oneself. As long as the person will have the correct
attitude towards life and control on one selves, life will be satisfied and hence, happy too.
Hence, one can conclude that while Aristotle also had his views on leading the good life but
there are arguments which does not agree to all his claims.
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Philosophy
References
Armon, C. & Dawson, T. L., 2002. The Good Life. In The Handbook of Adult development,
pp. 271-300.
Clark, S., 1993. Aristotle on the Human Good. The Journal of Hellenic Studies, Volume 113,
pp. 193-194.
Kuninski, T., 2006. Is Political Life A Happy Life According To Aristotle?. Diametros,
Volume 8, pp. 56-67.
Majithia, R., 1999. Aristotle on the good life. [Online]
Available at: https://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape9/PQDD_0006/
NQ40381.pdf
[Accessed 25 June 2018].
Macaro, 2005. Aristotle and the Good Life. Practical Philosophy, 7(2), pp. 4-6.
Torrance, D., 2015. Practical Wisdom and the Pursuit of the Good in the Good Life. Master
of Applied Positive Psychology, Volume 85.
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