Six Myths about the Good Life : Thinking about What Has Value

by Kupperman, Joel J.

• ISBN13: 9780872207837
• ISBN10: 0872207838
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-03-30
• Publisher: Hackett Pub Co Inc

Summary

Joel Kupperman provides an introduction to theories of the good life by exploring the strengths and weakness of six simple statements of what a good life should be. Drawing on classic Chinese, Indian, Greek and Roman sources, Kupperman considers the various ways in which one might think about the values that are worth aiming for, and shows that no simple account can adequately express all that a good life can be.

Author Biography

Joel J. Kupperman is Professor of Philosophy, University of Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Introduction	ix
Myth One---Pursuing Comfort and Pleasure Will Lead to the Best Possible Life	1	(21)
Myth Two---The Desirable Life Equals the One That Is Most Happy	22	(23)
Myth Three---The Good Life Requires Reaching a Good Equilibrium, a Point at Which the Important Difficulties Are Resolved	45	(19)
Myth Four---Reason Rather Than Emotions Would Be the Best Indicator of What Would Be a Good Life	64	(18)
Myth Five---There Is No Real Connection, At Least in This Life, Between True Virtue and a Desirable Kind of Life	82	(28)
Myth Six---True Virtue Is Impeccable	110	(18)
How Can We Know What Has Value?	128	(17)
Bibliography	145	(4)
Appendix	149