Human Flourishing: Ancient Greek Perspective PDF

STS Plato believed that in order to flourish, one must have moral thought and virtuous action. Human Flourishing: In this case, virtue is referred to as...

STS Plato believed that in order to flourish, one must have moral thought and virtuous action. Human Flourishing: In this case, virtue is referred to as 'excellence'. Based on Ancient Greek Philosopher’s Perspective ----------------------❀----------------------- For Plato, the well-being of a human individual must NOT depend on external goods (such as fame, wealth and appearance). To live just for the sake of fame, wealth, good How to live a flourishing life? appearance and other external goods will not lead to flourishing. Ancient Greek philosophers were some of the first thinkers who tried to answer --------------------❀-------------------- the question. Two of the most prominent ancient Greek philosophers were Plato and Aristotle. If having a virtue is needed in order to flourish, how does one develop virtue? The Greek philosophers called a flourishing life eudaimonia. Eudaimonia is usually equated According to Plato, a human being can with happiness. develop virtue by: For Plato and Aristotle, happiness is the result 1. By examining things and thinking more of eudaimonia or human flourishing. Plato believed that a human being who Eudaimonia or Human Flourishing does not examine his or her life and surroundings will not flourish. He said that ↓ humans can reason and must use it to become wiser in order to flourish. Happiness --------------------❀-------------------- 2. By masterly using reason Plato (428/427-348/347 В.С.) Plato believed that a human is good if he or she uses his or her reason over his desires. For Plato, all human beings naturally desire eudaimonia or human flourishing.  Limiting one's reason may result in A man without temperance will not flourish negative consequences. Reasoning allows because lack of self-restraint can lead to vices the control of one's self. and violence. If a human is able to control one's self --------------------❀-------------------- through reason and act for the common good, then he or she will flourish. Aristotle (384-322 В.С.) 3. By living the four cardinal virtues Aristotle argued that eudaimonia or human flourishing is the highest good of human Plato believed that there are four cardinal beings. virtues: Human nature, according to Aristotle, has four Wisdom aspects: physical, emotional, social, and rational. Courage Temperance 1. Humans are physical beings. Justice As physical beings, humans need air, water, food, rest, and exercise to keep the body functioning. For the virtue of wisdom, one must pursue learning that is based on curiosity. This would lead to more efficiency and self-mastery which are needed to have a fulfilling life. 2. Humans are emotional beings. Like other animals, humans have urges, wants, desires and reactions. Humans have Courage is important in a just society because emotional needs too. justice needs courageous individuals to stand for what is right and to correct what is wrong. 3. Humans are social beings. Courage is also needed in order to face life's As social beings, it is inherent that humans challenges. need friendship, cooperation, and a sense of belongingness in society. Temperance or self-restraint is important in society because it prevents corruption and 4. Humans are rational beings. chaos. Rationality is what differentiates humans from other animals. Aside from intellectual virtue, the other virtue Rationality allows humans to express, be in life is the virtue of character. Aristotle creative, or obey reason. believed that in order to flourish, one must possess the 11 virtuous traits. --------------------❀-------------------- Courage How does one become more virtuous? Magnificence Truthfulness For Aristotle, a virtue is a character trait that enables a person to flourish. Justice Temperance Aristotle, like Plato, believed that humans Magnanimity through reason seek knowledge about the Wittiness world. He believed that by gaining knowledge, humans will flourish. He called this Shame "intellectual virtue." Liberality Patience Aristotle made an important distinction about knowledge and human flourishing. Friendliness --------------------❀-------------------- There are two types of knowledge: theoretical knowledge or the According to Aristotle, all virtues are knowledge about the nature of principles connected by phronesis or "practical wisdom." practical knowledge or the knowledge It enables an individual to apply the of applying these principles appropriate virtue in a particular situation. Theoretical knowledge allows us to A virtuous life can be attained through manipulate nature, however, without practical education and habit. knowledge, it cannot be actually done. In summary, when an individual possesses Thus, knowledge is important in life, but it is intellectual virtues and virtues of character, the application of this knowledge that leads then, he will attain eudaimonia or human to flourishing. flourishing.  Flourishing is an intrinsic good, and that flourishing is worth striving for. Intellectual Virtues + Virtues of Character = Flourishing is intrinsically worthwhile". Eudaimonia or Human Flourishing This is different from the Greek Philosophers point of view that human --------------------❀-------------------- flourishing is a means to an end goal which is happiness. Human Flourishing: 2. The actualization of the human potential A Modern World Concept Human flourishing is when an individual is Modern Concept of Human Flourishing optimally using his or her potentials and capabilities. This is relative because every individual In Psychology, happiness, life satisfaction, has different potential and encounters mental and physical health, meaning and different possibilities. Hence, different purpose, character and virtue, close social individuals' level of flourishing cannot be relationships and financial and material compared. stability are all components of Human Flourishing. Criteria for Human Flourishing HUMAN FLOURISHING a. Life as a whole ➔ Financial and Material Stability In considering an individual's flourishing, his or her whole life must be considered. ➔ Happiness and Life Satisfaction 'Whole life', in this case, means the totality of human life, not just some parts. ➔ Mental and Physical Health ➔ Close Social Relationships b. Human flourishing is a dynamic state ➔ Character and Virtue Human flourishing is dynamic. It requires ➔ Meaning and Purpose an on-going developmental process to actualize the human potential. In other words, one must continuously develop to 1. Flourishing is intrinsically worthwhile become a flourishing human being. c. Objective Goods  There are things that are good for Scientific and technological discoveries enable everybody, such as good social humanity to gain intellectual virtues. relationships. These good things or objective goods, if developed, will contribute to human flourishing. Example: --------------------❀-------------------- Through science, the antibiotic nature of Penicillum notatum was discovered. Through technology, penicillin The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of medicine was developed and provided a cure Science and Technology to many diseases. Recall Progress in Science and Technology had many Aristotle said that humans flourish by positive impact to human life such as the gaining new knowledge.He called this the following: 'intellectual virtue'. made work easier, efficient or practical Aristotle also distinguished theoretical made us happy or entertained knowledge and practical knowledge. kept us healthy and safe Science is a systematic body of knowledge that seeks to explain and helped to address social issues and understand life and the world. concerns Helped in the development of human talent and abilities. Role of Science and Technology in Human Flourishing Example SCIENCE comparable to theoretical knowledge ➔ The development of social media made explains the nature or principles behind it easier to communicate with people. an object, event or phenomenon ➔ Musical instruments helped in developing musical talent and provided entertainment and happiness to many. TECHNOLOGY ➔ The development of medicines helps in comparable to practical knowledge combating diseases, hence in prolonging life. applies theoretical knowledge in order to have an output. However, science and technology can be The Question Concerning Technology exploited which can result in serious negative impact. How do we generally think about technology? Technological developments made technology is a means to an end possible industrialization. (instrumental) In some cases, industrialization made technology is a human activity humans become 'machine-like' workers, (anthropological) depriving them of the full actualization of their potential. These definitions are correct, however, it limits our understanding of our relationship Technological developments also caused with technology. pollution. Pollution in turn caused diseases that caused lives. To understand fully what is meant by "technology as means to an end", Heidegger discussed the concept of causality. Technologies such as nuclear weapons also caused the extermination of humans. There are four causes: --------------------❀-------------------- causa materialis causa formalis Technology as a Way of Revealing causa finalis causa efficiens Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) The Latin word 'causa' means "that which Martin Heidegger is one of the most original brings it about" and important philosophers in the 20th century. However, Heidegger prefers the Greek word, aition which means "that which is responsible In the essay, 'The Question Concerning for something else." Technology', he suggested how we can establish a 'free relationship' with technology. In this essay, Heidegger focused on our Thus, Heidegger used the terms hyle, eidos, orientation to technology, not on the form or telos and logos as replacement to the four function. causes. Heidegger used the terms hyle, eidos, telos So, if technology is derived from the concept and logos as replacement to the four causes. of techne, then its essence lies not in the instrumental production of goods or Logos: "to reveal" ex. silversmith manipulation of materials, but in "revealing.” Hyle: material ex. silver Eidos: form or shape Heidegger explained the difference between older forms of technology and modern Telos: Drawing of the clear boundaries ex. It technology. He said that modern technology is used for Christian ceremony of Communion has a different kind of 'revealing', it is 'challenging'. Heidegger introduced the word 'poeisis', which literally means 'bringing forth'. It is Old windmills draw energy from the wind but basically the way of making something that "does not extract and store that energy" unlike was not present be present. Poeisis, in a way, modern technology which challenges our is kind of revealing. nature. The term 'challenges' is synonymous to 'exploits' and 'exhausts'. Heidegger also introduced the word: 'aletheia', which literally means "unveiling" or "revealing." Again, modern technology is revealing but in a It is also the Greek word for "truth". different way. To understand this, Heidegger introduced the idea of 'standing reserve'. For Heidegger, technology transforms the world into "standing reserve." Heidegger argued that technology is a kind of poeisis, a way of bringing forth or revealing and, as such, is "the realm of truth". It can be said that for technology, nothing in The word "technology" was derived from the the world is "good" in and of itself, but only Greek 'technikon', which is related to the word "good for" something. techne. Heidegger makes two points about techne: The airplane, for example, has no "good" or value in and of itself but it is "good for" Techne refers to both manufacturing humanity as a mode of transportation. If it is (the techniques of shoemakers and printers, for not 'good for' humanity anymore, then it can example) and to the arts (the techniques of be disposed, leaving it with no value. So its poets and fashion designers, for example). disposal by humanity depends on its Techne is part of poeisis. "goodness'. Techne is a kind of knowing. It may Also, humans can become 'standing reserves' refer to "expertise," or "know- how" of technology. Forester →Provides logs→paper industry→Provides paper→print industry ⇄ Heidegger introduced the concept of Get profits & Sell prints⇄ enframing, which stems from the human drive for a "precise" and "scientific" reading public knowledge of the world. Because humans are responsible for Enframing is the essence of technology. It technological advances, humans will never may result to two possibilities: completely become 'standing reserves'. It may set man on a destructive and In the same way, nature and nature's mode of self-destructive course. revealing will never completely become under human control. Despite humans having It may be a "saving power" by showing now the capacity to destroy nature, the clearly the responsibility of human beings to natural world reveals itself to humans on its the world. Enframing will help us understand own terms. that we are a part of the world, but that the world "needs" us to care for it. Example: Humans cannot directly control the formation of coal deposits or the accumulation of nitrogen in the soil. We can only control the way we orient ourselves, our thinking and our actions, in relation to such resources. Humans tend to think of technology as an instrument, a means of getting things done. This definition, however, misses the actual essence of technology, and tends to make us think that by making the technology better, we will master technology and solve the problems that accompany it. Heidegger suggested that the human impulse is to enclose all experiences of the world within categories of understanding that are controllable such as mathematical equations, physical laws, sets of classifications.