Six Myths about the Good Life: Thinking about What Has Value

by Joel J. Kupperman

Six Myths about the Good Life focuses on the values that are worth aiming for in our lives, a topic central to what has been called Philosophy of Life. We all have ideas about the good life. We think that pleasure makes life better. We want to be happy. We think that achievements make a difference. There is something to all these ideas, but if taken simply and generally they all miss out on something. Six Myths about the Good Life explores what they miss and, in the process, gives a sense of what a good life can be.

Genres: Philosophy

168 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2006

Reviews

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Six Myths about the Good Life' is a good solid philosophical overview and a compact distillation of what the classic philosophers offered for argument on the subject of values.

Myth One: Pursuing comfort and pleasure will lead to the best possible life.

Myth Two: The desirable life equals one that is most happy.

Myth Three: The good life requires reaching a good equilibrium, a point at which the important difficulties are resolved.

Myth Four: Reason rather than emotions would be the best indicator of what would be a good life.

Myth Five: There is no real connection, at least in this life, between true virtue and a desirable kind of life.

Myth Six: True virtue is impeccable.

Chapter Seven: How can we know what has value?

Generally, Joel Kupperman, professor of philosophy at the University of Connecticut, is organizing selected ideas from various published works by the Ancients (i.e., Plato, Socrates, Confucius, Aristotle, etc.) and more current philosophers for the general reader to contemplate. The result is a small book which nonetheless delivers much food for thought. I think in particular those who would welcome a brief refresh of ideas from college introductory 101 classes as well as those general readers who are interested in developing personal values of, well, value, would find this succinct book very rewarding.

[Kathleen O'Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was assigned this book for Dr. Justin Tiwald's philosophy graduate seminar on the topic of "Wellbeing" as it is titled. I had actually wanted to read the book anyway, however, and even had attempted to order a used copy on Amazon prior to learning that I have the opportunity to take Dr. Tiwald's course and that the book would be required reading there. This is a great introduction to this complex and fascinating topic that does a great job of weaving together insights from both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions as well as insights from the field of psychology as well as our native philosophy. The book is thought-provoking and a pleasure to read.

[James]

Six Myths about the Good Life focuses on the values that are worth aiming for in our lives, a topic central to what has been called Philosophy of Life. We all have ideas about the good life. We think that pleasure makes life better. We want to be happy. We think that achievements make a difference. There is something to all these ideas, but if taken simply and generally they all miss out on something. Six Myths about the Good Life explores what they miss and, in the process, gives a sense of what a good life can be.

[Carmen von Rohr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit repetitive and disorganized, but still an engaging meditation on the nature of pleasure, comfort, happiness, virtue, and their relevance to human life. An interesting read that will appeal to thoughtful people.

[Sheldon Joiner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book to read to get focused on what is important in life