Students:
Alexis (A),
David (D),
Howard (H),
John (J),
Ray (R),
Robin (ℜ),
Scribe:
Gavin (G)
Apologies:
Colin (C),
Margie (M),
Patricia (P), and
Viki (V)
The homework set
On Tuesday we explored 'justice' in all its various manifestations. We concluded that justice is a virtue into which all other virtues feed, and is a fundamental component of living a 'good life' alongside with other human beings; indeed with all other elements of nature. And freedom, in its positive expression, facilitates the expression of the virtues, all contributing to a good life.
But what is it to live a good life? Aristotle had lots to say on the subject initiating a debate which has continued for over two millennia. Here's a link to a particularly useful paper from The Philosophy Teaching Library: https://philolibrary.crc.nd.edu/article/the-good-life-how-to-live-it/
At Tuesday's meeting we decided that the BBC R4 series This Cultural Life could provide useful raw material for exploring what elements can contribute to the living of a good life today?
Recently John Wilson interviewed the brilliant young cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who spoke evocatively about the key influences on his life and how he had responded to these. As preparation for the next meeting we want everyone to listen to this episode, and any others that take their fancy, and note what might be considered to be an element of living a 'good life'. For example, Sheku talks about his obsession with practicing, which links with Plato's notion of pursuing excellence.
We've just listened again to the Sheku Kanneh-Mason interview with John Wilson, and found it absolutely inspiring: chock-a-block with insights not only into living a good life but also into wider philosophical concepts. A really rewarding listen.
We're very much looking forward to an Epicurean sharing of insights on Tuesday.
PS. David has just pointed out that there is a BBC documentary on the Kanneh-Mason family from 2020. It's called: 'This House is Full of Music': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJD4LvBWcmI
Introduction(S)
Aristotle wrote of the distinction between final and instrumental goods.
Discussion
The meaning of εὐδαιμονία
We need to look at the meaning of εὐδαιμονία. It does not necessarily entail happiness, which can be too easily achieved. It is much more about fulfilment.(D)
It's a distinction between thin and thick definitions.(S)
A thick concept is a kind of concept that both has a significant degree of descriptive content and is evaluatively loaded. Paradigmatic examples are various virtues and vices such as courage, cruelty, truthfulness and kindness. (source: Wikipedia)
Can you state examples of εὐδαιμονία for yourself?(S)
It’s a negative: it's not being in a state of depression.(S)
Many people fill their lives very superficially with transient events. Need to have gap to fill.(S)
Meaning is very important to many people.(ℜ)
Bertrand Russell on the Nicomachean Ethics: 'The book appeals to the respectable middle-aged, and has been used by them, especially since the seventeenth century, to repress the ardours and enthusiasms of the young. But to a man with any depth of feeling it is likely to be repulsive.'
Aristotle believed you have to be a good person before you should offer yourself as a friend.(L)
Fulfilment and Goals
We want achievement for our grandchildren. But did Mozart, as a very high achiever, have a good life? No.(R)
Some of us have never started out with a grand plan to achieve things, but nevertheless believe we've had a great life.(A)
There's something to be said for not trying too hard.(H)
Pursuing a target can mean you miss a lot that happens on the sidelines. You can decide instead to learn as you go along, and the correct actions become habit.(A)
We need to bear in mind Maslow's hierarchy of needs: you can't move on to self-actualisation if you haven't sorted out the lower levels first.(ℜ)
Serendipity plays a major role in our lives.(R)
We should open ourselves to chance and opportunity.
"Man plans, and God laughs."(R)
The phrase "Man plans, and God laughs" (or variations like "When we plan, God laughs") is a Yiddish adage that highlights the idea that human plans and expectations are often disrupted by unforeseen events or circumstances. (source: Psychology Today)
Love and passion are very important. We have been very lucky with family and schooling. It is a very rapidly evolving technological age.(ℜ)
Many in this country are unable to take part in the good life.(D)
There are huge inequalities and many very poor people.(ℜ)
Focus
Jane Austen's 'Persuasion' is a dense read but worth the effort.(J)
In those times, no-one strayed much beyond their own village and everyone knew everyone there. That was the limit of their world view.(L)
David Malouf wrote about a village where for hundreds of years the inhabitants never visited another village they could see across the valley.(ℜ)
Alfred Wainwright led a narrow life as a town clerk. But his notes on the Lakeland walks he conducted are classics, and his books are now being followed by the likes of Julia Bradbury in a TV programme.(R)
Some can experience εὐδαιμονία simply by looking at a bank of purple irises.(J)
Music (mainly)
Kanneh-Mason spoke about he and his family being focussed, immersed, reaching out to others, dedicated, loyal, connected, encouraged and noticed.(L)
It's hard to imagine a better environment for a musician to grow up in.(D)
Where Paul Lewis, the pianist, achieved success the hard way.(L) (With only John Denver records at home.)
Does one need tiger parents to achieve success? Should parents be living through their children?
It is very pleasing that Claygate Primary School has always retained a music department.(L)
What is the nature of 'soul'?(S)
One feels soulful when listening to Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suites.(J)
A little bit of naughtiness is fun.(ℜ)
Happiness can be a collective experience. Dartmouth music festival gave one a sense of group happiness.(H)
It can depend on ethos of the sport. Compare crowds at a rugby (union) match to those at some soccer matches.(S)
It is very pleasing that Claygate Primary School has always retained a music department.(L)
Cabins
Is time important? Thoreau wrote 'Walden' in the 19th century about the cabin where he got his senses in tune with the environment.(R)
Though also a transcendentalist, Ralph Waldo Emerson never invited Thoreau to his home in the Adirondacks because he didn’t agree with his ideas.(R)
The word Adirondack actually means "those who eat trees" in the language of the Iroquois; it is assumed by many to be a pejorative term used to describe the Algonquins that settled to the North. (source: https://www.adirondack-park.net/history/adirondacks.html)
Adirondack Great Camps were as synonymous with the Gilded Age as the names Vanderbilt and Rockefeller. Designed to blend into their natural surroundings, these sprawling compounds spanned the most coveted shorelines of the Adirondacks – as well as some of the most remote. Camps could take weeks to get to; and so the glittering elite of the early 19th century made the trek in early summer for a season of relaxation amid towering fir trees and sparkling, endless lakes. (source: https://visitadirondacks.com/what-to-do/great-camps)
Helping Others
Does Trump have a moral compass?(S)
Does altruism exist?(S)
Working for Citizen Advice was as much for one's own benefit as that of the clients.(H)
The volunteer community in Claygate giving up their time is altruism.(D)
There is nothing wrong with getting satisfaction from voluntary activity.(L)
In Passing
Why should people be offended by the aspiration in the line from Rule Britannia that 'Britons never, never, never shall be slaves'?
Many morris dancers used to black up, a tradition since the Middle Ages. They said it was to avoid being recognised. One academic said it offended him so the morris dancers had stop it.(J)
Keir Starmer announcing a deal with the EU as "great news for British consumers" diminishes us, by making it all about money and deals.(S)
We should be citizens first, and consumers second.(L)
But Clinton said: "It’s the economy, stupid" to confirm that money in our pocket was uppermost in the thoughts of voters and politicians.(G)
The National Blood Transfusion Service in the UK, which is now part of NHS Blood and Transplant, was officially launched on September 26, 1946. While the concept of blood transfusion was developed earlier, the large-scale need for blood donation, and the establishment of blood banks, came primarily during and after World War II.
The native peoples of America talk about rivers having lives of their own.(R)
