Café Philo – What is a good life?

The question “What is a good life?” is one of humanity’s most enduring and complex inquiries, serving as a foundational question across philosophy, religion, and now, modern psychology. There is no single, universally accepted answer, as the definition is often personal, cultural, and contextual. However, across various traditions, several core concepts consistently emerge, centered on virtue, happiness, meaning, and connection.

For millennia, philosophers have defined the good life through different lenses, providing comprehensive, though often conflicting, frameworks.

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle is arguably the most influential voice in this area. He argued that the highest human good is eudaimonia, often translated as “flourishing” or “living well.” This is not merely a state of pleasure or contentment, but an active life of reason and virtue—the full realization of human potential.

It’s that time of year when we all make New Year’s resolutions, so please join us for the Café Philo to discuss what it means to lead a good life.

Andreas Wasmuht & Don Cameron, BRSLI Philosophy convenors