Learn to Live Well

You can learn to solve a differential equation. You can learn to ride a bike. But is happiness something that can be learned? And if so, how? This session will introduce the fundamental philosophical puzzle of God and the Good Life and discuss Aristotle’s answer to it.  

Note: If you are just joining the class, welcome! Please read the opening message in the “Announcements” section of Canvas and complete all tasks from the “Welcome to GGL” page as soon as possible.

Pre-Class Questions

With each day’s reading, you will be given a set of questions to help you check your understanding of the material and prepare for class.  Your responses are due on Canvas before class. See the syllabus for grading information. Your top 15 scores of the semester will count toward your final grade.

1. In your own words, explain what Aristotle means by “eudaimonia”. In your own life, what is something you could do that would bring you closer to this goal? Be as specific as you can.
2. In our reading, Aristotle says that each virtue is a “mean” that falls between two “extremes”, both of which are vices. What other examples can you think of? Name at least three virtues that are not discussed in the reading, and identify the vices or “extremes” that each one falls between.
3. What questions do you have about today’s reading? What would you like to discuss more in class? Submit questions and discussion topics on PollEverywhere, and/or upvote any classmates’ responses that you’d also like to cover in class. The most upvoted questions will be answered during the Q&A portion of class.

Content Reflection

For each class topic, you’ll also be given at least one prompt for a longer (~300 word) written reflection. You may write up to two reflections in the first half of the semester and up to two in the second half of the semester. You can also revise and resubmit one reflection for a new grade, within one week after your grade is posted. Your top three scores will count toward your final grade.

Take the Big Five Personality Test. When you’ve finished, list your two highest-scoring and two lowest-scoring subfactors. (Each of these should have a score out of 20, not a score out of 120.) What advantages or challenges do you think someone with these results would have in cultivating moral virtue? Explain why. Then, based on your reflections, create a personal “virtue development plan”: Identify one specific virtue you would like to focus on cultivating in yourself, specific actions you can take to cultivate this virtue, a potential challenge you might encounter and a strategy for overcoming it.