What will I learn about: how the Buddhist pursuit of a good life focuses on minimizing global suffering and acting with pure compassion, rather than simply seeking personal serenity?

Discover how the Buddhist pursuit of a good life focuses on minimizing global suffering and acting with pure compassion, rather than simply seeking personal serenity.

What will I learn about: why Confucianism rejects the denial of the self, teaching instead that true well-being is rooted in nurturing your fundamental relationships with others?

Understand why Confucianism rejects the denial of the self, teaching instead that true well-being is rooted in nurturing your fundamental relationships with others.

What will I learn about: Learn to adopt a Daoist mindset to peacefully accept reality, detach from frustrations, and flow in harmony with life's unpredictable zigzags?

Learn to adopt a Daoist mindset to peacefully accept reality, detach from frustrations, and flow in harmony with life's unpredictable zigzags.

What will I learn about: the Aristotelian concept of a flourishing life by maximizing your potential across multiple areas, while gracefully accepting the external factors beyond your control?

Master the Aristotelian concept of a flourishing life by maximizing your potential across multiple areas, while gracefully accepting the external factors beyond your control.

What will I learn about: Explore how investigating contrasting global philosophies—from ancient Eastern ethics to classical Greek realism—can help you build a deeply enriching personal philosophy of life?

Explore how investigating contrasting global philosophies—from ancient Eastern ethics to classical Greek realism—can help you build a deeply enriching personal philosophy of life.

How to Live a Good Life

A Guide to Choosing Your Personal Philosophy

ed. Massimo Pigliucci, Skye C. Cleary and Daniel A. Kaufman

★ 4.3 / 5(477 ratings)

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Categories:

Philosophy Personal Development

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡Have you ever wondered why some people navigate life's challenges with such unshakable clarity, and which of 15 distinct world philosophies might hold the secret for you?
💡Did you know that ancient traditions and modern schools of thought offer surprisingly different—yet equally powerful—blueprints for what it actually means to live well?
💡What if you could test-drive the personal life-guiding principles of 15 leading scholars to discover which roadmap perfectly aligns with your own values?

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Key Takeaways from How to Live a Good Life

✓Discover how the Buddhist pursuit of a good life focuses on minimizing global suffering and acting with pure compassion, rather than simply seeking personal serenity.
✓Understand why Confucianism rejects the denial of the self, teaching instead that true well-being is rooted in nurturing your fundamental relationships with others.
✓Learn to adopt a Daoist mindset to peacefully accept reality, detach from frustrations, and flow in harmony with life's unpredictable zigzags.
✓Master the Aristotelian concept of a flourishing life by maximizing your potential across multiple areas, while gracefully accepting the external factors beyond your control.
✓Explore how investigating contrasting global philosophies—from ancient Eastern ethics to classical Greek realism—can help you build a deeply enriching personal philosophy of life.

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How to Live a Good Life

Ancient Eastern Philosophies+

Ancient Classical Philosophies+

Theistic Religions+

Secular & Nontheistic Approaches+

Modern & Action-Oriented Philosophies+

Core Takeaways+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9

According to the Dalai Lama's perspective on Buddhism, why might an act like assassinating a historical tyrant be considered ethical?

A. Because the tyrant’s karma dictates they must be punished.
B. As long as it is done out of compassion to reduce overall suffering and without anger.
C. Because Buddhism teaches that the self is an illusion, making life and death irrelevant.
D. Only if the action directly leads to the individual's personal enlightenment.

Question 2 of 9

How do Confucianism and Daoism differ in their primary approach to living a good life, according to the text?

A. Confucianism focuses on maintaining relationships, while Daoism emphasizes acting in harmony with nature and reality.
B. Confucianism teaches strict asceticism, while Daoism encourages the pursuit of earthly pleasures.
C. Confucianism relies on prayer to multiple deities, while Daoism is a strictly secular philosophy.
D. Confucianism advocates for political revolution, while Daoism promotes total withdrawal from society.

Question 3 of 9

What hard truth does Aristotelianism acknowledge about achieving a 'eudaemonic' (flourishing) life?

A. It requires completely eliminating all negative emotions.
B. It is entirely dependent on an individual's willpower and choices.
C. It relies heavily on achieving a state of total indifference to the world.
D. It is influenced by external factors and luck, meaning success isn't entirely up to the individual.

Question 4 of 9

In Epicureanism, what is the purpose of 'hedonic calculus'?

A. To mathematically prove the existence of the gods.
B. To weigh whether an action will result in long-term pleasure rather than just immediate gratification.
C. To calculate the exact amount of wealth needed to achieve a state of tranquility.
D. To determine the moral virtue of an action based on its benefit to society.

Question 5 of 9

What role does reason play in Progressive Islam?

A. It is used to prove that ancient scriptures should be taken completely literally.
B. It replaces the need for any religious texts or spiritual beliefs entirely.
C. It drives the reinterpretation of ancient scriptures to champion modern social and gender justice.
D. It is considered secondary to blind faith and strict adherence to historical traditions.

Question 6 of 9

According to the text, how do Judaism and Christianity generally approach ancient scripture?

A. As an opportunity for reflection and the acceptance of varying interpretations.
B. As a rigid set of rules that must be applied literally to every aspect of modern life.
C. As historical documents that have lost all relevance in the modern world.
D. As philosophical proofs designed to logically mandate a single, unified worldview.

Question 7 of 9

What distinguishes 'Ethical Culture' from 'secular humanism' as described in the book?

A. Ethical Culture believes in a pantheon of gods, while secular humanism is strictly atheist.
B. Ethical Culture defines itself as a nontheistic religion with its own clergy, while secular humanism is a non-dogmatic philosophy.
C. Ethical Culture relies heavily on ancient scriptures, while secular humanism rejects all historical texts.
D. Ethical Culture focuses solely on individual success, while secular humanism focuses on community building.

Question 8 of 9

What did Jean-Paul Sartre mean when he used the example of the waiter to explain existentialism?

A. That society unfairly restricts the economic freedom of the working class.
B. That we should find one profession we are good at and let it completely define our identity.
C. That no single role can ever truly define a person, and we must use our freedom to create our own meaning.
D. That serving others is the highest form of ethical living.

Question 9 of 9

The modern philosophy of 'effective altruism' is rooted in which eighteenth-century tradition?

A. Stoicism
B. Utilitarianism
C. Aristotelianism
D. Pragmatism