The Best Things in Life

Subtitled 'a guide to what really matters', this highly readable philosophical book takes the reader on an intellectual journey to explore various forms of the good life and what they mean; this varies according to our temperament and inclinations, but the author provides us with the means of critically evaluating our own approach. He begins by discussing pleasure and feeling good, exploring ethical and psychological hedonism in different guises. Feeling good does not come automatically and is more difficult for some people than others. We feel it in the flow of absorbing activity although there is always the paradox that the pursuit of pleasure may not be achieved directly; moreover, mindless pleasures may be self-limiting. The author moves on to other forms of intrinsic good in terms of the varieties of virtue (being good), knowledge and achievement and their possible combination in a rounded life, with helpful analyses in the respective chapters. There is a very good chapter on variations and developments in love and friendship and a final one bringing together different qualities and trajectories of life. All of this is bounded by death, which nevertheless does not negate the enjoyment of life's goods: 'it will always be true, into eternity, that you understood those truths, accomplished those goals, and cared for those people' - even if our life could have been better and we could have lived longer. This well-written book helps us reflect on the choices we are making and their implications for a good life.