‘What is the good life?’ is a question as old as philosophy itself. In fact, it is the question that birthed philosophy as we know it.

Posed by ancient Greek thinkers and incorporated into the thought of Socrates through Plato, and then Aristotle, this question gets at the heart of meaning and purpose.

Why are we here, and since we are here, what are we to be doing? What is our meaning and purpose?

Out of the early Greek quest for the answer emerged two schools of thought. From Plato emerged rationalism:

The good life consists of ascertaining unchanging ideals – justice, truth, goodness, beauty – those forms found in the ideal World.

From Aristotle emerged empiricism: the good life consists of ascertaining knowledge through experience – what we can perceive of this World through our senses.

For both, rational thought used in contemplation of ideas is the substance of the good life.

Despite the obvious emphasis by both on goodness emerging from the contemplative life of the mind both philosophers saw the good life as impacting and benefiting Society.

For Plato, Society must emulate justice, truth, goodness, and beauty; so he constructs an ideal Society. For Aristotle, virtue lived out in Society is the substance of the good life, and well-being arises from well-doing.

‘What is the good life?’ is a question as old as the internet. Most of the entries involve shopping or consumption of one variety or another.

Some entries are on locations to live, and still others involved books or other media aimed at helping one construct a good life. Others were the names of stores selling goods to promote ‘the good life’.

There were no immediate entries on Plato, Aristotle, or the philosophical question they raised. There were no results on wisdom or the quest for knowledge lived out in a virtuous life.

Instead, most of the entries involved material pursuits and gains. Sadly, this reflects our modern definition of what is good.