Master Plans? In light of JustHeath’s post on some psychological studies to help live the good life in the new year, I thought I would follow-up with some suggestions from classical philosophy, mixed in with some of the experiences I’ve had over the past year, in order to think about how to make the best… Continue reading How To Make The Best New Year’s Resolutions
Category: Virtue
The Ethics of Santa Claus
First, I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. It’s been quite the first year for Philosophy Matters, and today I’m thankful for the wonderful co-authors who contribute to this blog, the new friends we’ve made along the way, and the interesting discussion that we’ve been able to have! I’m also excited about what’s in… Continue reading The Ethics of Santa Claus
The Effects of TV: How To Be Happy and Live the Good Life
A new book explores the impact that a person’s media viewing habits can have on the quality of their life and ability to achieve happiness. WEBWIRE – Thursday, November 15, 2012 Meridian, Mississippi, USA – This November, author J.J. Sylvia IV has released the book “The Effects of TV: How To Be Happy and Live the Good… Continue reading The Effects of TV: How To Be Happy and Live the Good Life
What is the Good Life (part 3): 3 Reasons Practical Wisdom Matters
Previously we’ve discussed that for Aristotle, living the good life means achieving a state of eudaimonia, or internal excellence, which is both hard to achieve and hard to lose once achieved. The good life consists of two types of excellence: character excellence, and intellectual excellence. What exactly is intellectual excellence, then? It’s phronesis, or rather, practical wisdom.… Continue reading What is the Good Life (part 3): 3 Reasons Practical Wisdom Matters
What is the Good Life (part 2): Excellence of Character
Last time, we left off discussing Aristotle’s conception of the good life and how it requires reason to achieve excellence. For Aristotle, there are two kinds of excellence within man. The excellence most often discussed by scholars is that of excellence of character: Excellence, then, is a state concerned with choice, lying in a mean… Continue reading What is the Good Life (part 2): Excellence of Character
My Battle With Quitting Soda (Episode 2): On Willpower
The toughest part of quitting my soda habit was the extreme desire internal desire to drink it. It often feels as if my brain is hard-wired and will never stop craving the yummy goodness that it sees as a soda. There are two situations that almost always give rise to these cravings: 1. Eating a meal… Continue reading My Battle With Quitting Soda (Episode 2): On Willpower
Making Goals Fun: A Blueberry Yogurt Review
I’ve often found that adopting new – and better – habits can be quite a challenge. The reason they’re likely not already a habit is probably because we don’t necessarily enjoy it all that much. However, one of the ways I’ve discovered that really helps me adopt a habit and take it to heart… Continue reading Making Goals Fun: A Blueberry Yogurt Review
On Fear (A quasi review of “Between Fear and Love SELF-WORTH: The Tie that Binds”)
I recently finished reading a book written by a friend with whom I went to high school. The book, Between Fear and Love SELF-WORTH: The Tie that Binds, was an interesting read. I didn’t know much about it when I started except for the description I had read, and it actually turned out to be… Continue reading On Fear (A quasi review of “Between Fear and Love SELF-WORTH: The Tie that Binds”)