The Good Life: Different Perspectives

We all want our lives to actualise some conception of "The Good Life" where this notion will generally include fulfilment, happiness or wellbeing for ourselves, our family, friends and other people. In addition, for many, to live the good life also entails living with concern for both self and others based on moral and practical or prudential considerations. Is the good life about experiencing lasting pleasure and minimizing suffering as Hedonism suggests? In contrast, Altruism proposes we should do "the most good" we can through our life choices, practical efforts and effective charity while Humanism promotes acting on values and concern for outcomes which respect and support other people and better their opportunities in the world.

Akiva and Usha will explore perspectives on the good life as conceived by various philosophers, traditions and writers including Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Hugh Mackay, Peter Singer, Gretchen Rubin and Alain de Botton. They will present the Hedonist perspective on the pursuit of happiness as constitutive of the good life and discuss how Altruist and Humanist approaches contrast with a focus on pleasure. Akiva will explore ideas about the good life as intrinsically and extrinsically related to a moral life. Usha will present some elements of a good life as laid out by Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics and will also briefly cover the concept of "eudaimonia" or "flourishing or prosperity" as it ties in with the good life.

Bios: Akiva Quinn's first, true love - in the realm of ideas - is philosophy, especially the sort of practical wisdom explored in applied ethics, moral, political, and social theory, or praxis. He studied philosophy and sociology at Monash University and completed an MA there in 2010. Akiva enjoys philosophy and literature, with a focus on meaning and morality, and has co-presented workshops on living well and meaning in life. His other training is in computer science and he works in software development where logic and reason also play key roles and meaning can be crafted as well.

Usha Sista is a learning and development professional. She has a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and Masters in English as well as Molecular Biotechnology. Some of her key areas of interest are neurobiology of well-being and the behavioural and neurobiological underpinnings of deviant behaviour. She is a voracious reader and also paints and dabbles with photography and filmmaking. Usha is contemplating on establishing a literary magazine. She is also crafting the details of her newly established consulting venture.

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