Introduction
The best way to live a good life means filling a life with joy, fulfillment, and purpose. A life with meaningful work, important relationships, and a strong sense of self-worth is essential for overall happiness and well-being. This mostly depends on personal decisions, as it focuses on an individual’s goals and values.
Nevertheless, certain universal principles may assist and guide human beings in the pursuit of a significant and meaningful life, as explained by Aristotle and Du Bois in their works: “Character Is Your Guide to Virtues” and “The Souls of Black Folks,” respectively. Most successful individuals in life have discovered a way to align their values with their relationships, careers, and daily habits, establishing a life full of happiness and balance. The essay explores the best way to lead a good life.
Aristotle’s Perspective
Life Purpose
The first aspect is having a strong sense of purpose in life, which may come from people’s interests and passions or from spiritual or moral codes they strive to live by. Having a clear concept of what they need to achieve in life can offer people a sense of focus and direction, which is vital for living an enjoyable life. Hence, Aristotle considers virtue as the key source of contentment, which he calls Eudaimonia.
Eudaimonia is happiness desired for its sake or with no qualification. It is noted that deeds that precede this end are most incredible and may not be superseded by any acts compelled by standard forms of ends (Salas 15). Naturally, activities that lead to wealth, power, and honor are part of a human’s inclination to search for happiness. However, unfortunately, it might not be the end that provides real happiness.
Pleasure
Further, pleasure is good as it is Eudaimonia; hence, Aristotle does not condemn humans for their desiring preference, as it is an essential aspect of their thriving. However, the actions and desires that may contribute to a wish only presuppose restricted value because their conclusion is temporal in life. Thus, the gratification one receives from these deeds cannot be real happiness, as these engagements lead people into two opposing vices, driving them away from true happiness in life.
Vice is this perspective is two extremes of a factor. For instance, if one maintains a good temper or patience and resists irascibility or deficiency, then they are seen to have virtue. Aristotle writes, “Virtue, then, is a state involving rational choice, consisting in a mean relative to us and determined by reason … a wise person would determine it” (Salas 30). A virtuous character may be seen as an individual who acts appropriately through practice and habit rather than reasoning. Therefore, he asserts that the only way to have true contentment is through virtuous characters.
Virtue
Additionally, by determining the purpose through virtue and remaining true to it, one develops a unique way and creates a positive influence in the universe. A virtuous character cannot be inherited or formed naturally. People’s understandings and actions shape who they are in life. Hence, this personality develops when an individual repeatedly performs moral acts. It might involve setting and adhering to weekly or daily goals, or even forming a long-term vision for one’s future moral behavior. It implies that before humans can practice virtue, they must contemplate practicing it constantly throughout their lives.
For example, individuals may achieve patience as a virtue by frequently incorporating it into their deliberate activities or by constantly being patient in life. Similarly, one can attain courage by keeping it in the purview of the mean, whereas shunning cowardice and rashness. Hence, their activities can only be morally right and good if there is a habitual virtuous practice. It is to assert that to ultimately sustain the moral deeds that guided them to genuine happiness, the creation of good behaviors is necessary (Salas 39). It is always a good habit to lead a happy, meaningful, and morally right life. Therefore, an outstanding personality is the precondition for achieving happiness.
Du Bois’ Views
Relationships
Moreover, relationships have been considered vital to a happy life. Creating time for those significant, whether it is friends, family, or a partner, is critical. Nurturing and developing relations may bring fulfillment and joy while also offering connection and support when needed.
In this perspective, Du Bois associates his encounters as a teacher in Tennessee and then turns to criticize materialism by bringing up Atlanta, whose single aim was amassing wealth, which posed a threat to replacing all other life considerations. For instance, Du Bois has argued that in education, black Americans must not be taught only to generate money. Instead, he argues for a balance between low training standards, human cultural principles, and arrogant standards of living (Du Bois 21). The black college has to train people who, in exchange, lead to lower education and serve as liaisons to enhance race relations, building good rapport among them to lead good lives.
Education
Du Bois has stressed throughout his book that education is a means for African Americans to accomplish their aim of a better future and a happy life. He also noted that the purpose of higher education must not be limited to enhancing the opportunity to attain material success through hard labor, even though it should also offer youth a better understanding of life and depict avenues for more intellectually and rewarding careers. Whites and blacks should have good relations with each other to live together in harmony and peace (Du Bois 33). Hence, white Americans need to stop considering Black culture to pose a threat and shun excluding them from higher learning and public institutions so that they can lead a happy life.
Moreover, he is clear that African Americans understand their need to be educated to attain a brighter future, as he demonstrates this point by describing his happy days as a schoolteacher in a rural town, where he was able to pass on his knowledge and establish himself as an intellectual. As he says, “Once upon a time I taught school in the hills of Tennessee, where the broad dark valley of the Mississippi begins… Young and happy, I too went, and I shall not forget that summer, seventeen years ago” (Du Bois 46). He considers learning an aspect that uplifts African Americans from racial prejudice and plays a critical role in helping society generally achieve a better, happier life for its people.
Further, racial discrimination and separation have resulted in a lack of training for African Americans and destroyed the meaning of life, as there are no better relations between Whites and Blacks. It implies that establishing strong connections with others may also offer psychological support and remind them of the importance and worth of being compassionate and kind to others (Du Bois 54). Finding a career that aligns with a person’s interests and values makes them feel gratified and inspired in life, as Du Bois did when he became a schoolteacher in rural Tennessee.
Health
Additionally, it is essential to prioritize physical, psychological, and emotional health. If a person takes time to refresh and take good care of their body, they may face life challenges regardless of the situation. It could mean taking time to meditate, exercise, engage in self-care, or do other activities that help them stay in tune with their emotions and manage stress. As Aristotle notes, it is significant to repeatedly practice good habits, such as being patient, showing courage, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and getting enough sleep, which might lead to genuine happiness (Salas 47). Consequently, it is crucial to find pleasure in daily moments. Thus, it is vital to step back and recognize the little things in everyday activities.
Furthermore, Du Bois claims that meaningful relationships with others, better learning, and a career can lead to a contented life. Du Bois noted that songs of African origin are influential articulations of the pain, sorrow, and exile that feature the black experience (Du Bois 87). Therefore, the songs are the most beautiful articulation of people’s experience born in America, not only as music. It implies that one may delight in the simple happiness of life, which is comprised of listening to songs or spending time with their loved ones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best way to live a better life is to focus on understanding and adhering to one’s values, establishing meaningful and strong relationships, pursuing a good education aligned with a significant career, and cultivating a strong sense of self-worth. It also entails having a virtuous character, as Aristotle illustrates. Moreover, by focusing on purpose, prioritizing health, and finding happiness in the little things, humans may strive to develop a life that is rewarding and fulfilling.
Works Cited
Du Bois, W. E. The Souls of Black Folk. Oxford UP, 2008.
Salas, Elizabeth. Gale Researcher Guide for: Aristotle on Virtue and Character. Gale, Cengage Learning, 2018.