What does living your best life really mean?
Pleasure? Success? Money? Purpose? Faith?
Oscar Wilde, Aristotle, Buddha and Jesus offered radically different answers.
It’s a question people have wrestled with for centuries.
The most popular humanities course at Yale University explores this in a class entitled, “Life Worth Living.” Multiple professors teach it.
They compare how the great philosophies answer these questions.
- What makes a life worth living?
- What is worth chasing?
- Are the things we want really worth having?
- How do we know if we’re headed toward a flourishing life?
How you answer may determine whether you look back on life with satisfaction or regret.
But first, there’s another question.
Who do you answer to?
Oscar Wilde: Pursue Pleasure
Oscar Wilde says, “myself.” All out pleasure baby! Pleasure all the way!
A talented playright, Wilde spent many days not working, much less, having balance.
He burnt away time running loose with his lover around…
- music festivals
- three hour lunches
- countless bottles of champagne
“I filled my life to the very brim with wine.”
— Oscar Wilde
But, his carelessness led him to jail. Ouch!
Behind bars, Wilde wrote De Profundis, where he mused over a return to the free world of sensible rather than “senseless” pleasures.
He doesn’t regret pleasure except that he didn’t prepare for sorrow.
And sorrow, he says, is “the supreme emotion” mankind lives in.
“The secret of life is suffering. It is what is behind everything.”
— Oscar Wilde
The good life, according to Wilde, embraces sorrow. He labels sorrow “wonderful.”
Not enjoyable, but wonderful because a good life includes a lot of pain.
But, there are other opinions.
Aristotle: Pursue Flourishing
One word captures Aristotle’s view. Eudaimonia. Flourishing.
“Best,” for Aristotle is not just activity, but “external goods.”
- Friends
- Prestige
- Money
These are the proper tools for flourishing activity. The best life.
Aristotle believes a virtuous person is limited without the resources.
In short, the philosopher thinks the good life is virtuous activity aided by a…
- hearty family
- noble reputation
- lots of free time
But, how does this aid purpose, suffering and death?
Buddha: Let Go
The big B essentially says, Detach from the beauty and attractions of the flesh and the world.
That way you won’t be disappointed when you suffer and die.
Be indifferent to happiness and suffering.
Meditate yourself away from worldly attractions.
Don’t invest in pleasure and you won’t invest in pain.
Buddhists call this enlightenment.
Sound good to you? Not me.
Might as well not be born.
Jesus: Give
A wealthy man approached Jesus to ask the question.
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
— Mark 10:17-21
By “eternal life,” the man is asking for a flourishing life.
Jesus loved him and answered his question with one word.
“Give,” said Jesus. Don’t focus on gorging (Wilde), getting (Aristotle) or detaching (Buddah).
Give and watch the benefits. A servant invites success all around.
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
— Luke 6:38
A servant attitude in family, work and community invites all kinds of flourishing.
Eternal life and no regrets ever.
So, what’s the answer? Pleasure, resources, detachment or giving?
Stories like this are part of the reflections I write about life, resilience, and purpose explored on my About Stephen Blaising page.
Excellent, brother, just excellent!
Well done – love the layout, logical and draws your interest.
I pray God will use it for the “purpose” of adding to His family!
Blessings
Jim C
Thanks for sharing Jim! Blessings to you as well.