Philosophy Archives

Material Well-Being: Views of Aristotle, Buddhists, & Nietzsche

A rich man and poor man standing next to each other in a city to represent material well-being.

What’s material well-being? How do different philosophies define it? In what sense do you have it? Yale professors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz contend that one component of a good life philosophy is that it promotes material well-being. In their book Life Worth Living, they explain that different thinkers have different standards of material well-being. Keep reading to learn about these intriguing perspectives.

Perspectives on Moral Well-Being: How Do You Measure Virtue?

A young woman helping an older woman's moral well being by volunteering to help her grocery shop.

Do you believe that you’re essentially a good person? How do you measure your virtue? According to authors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz, life is worth living when you have a good philosophy of life. A strong life philosophy promotes moral well-being—the sense that you’re generally a virtuous person—by defining right and wrong behaviors. Continue reading to learn about various perspectives on moral well-being.

Motivation for Living Life Well: How 4 Views of Death Can Help

A black and white image of a thinking woman at a cemetery.

How do you view death? How can your belief about death motivate you to live your life well? What you believe about death affects the way you live your life, for good or for bad. Life Worth Living discusses what a few philosophers and religious traditions say about death and how these beliefs put life into perspective in various ways. Read more to learn how different views of death might give you motivation for living life well.

How to Make Your Own Philosophy in Life: Food for Thought

Ideas coming out of a thinking man's head as he tries to make his own philosophy in life.

Would you like to have your own life philosophy? Where should you start? What should you consider? In Life Worth Living, authors Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz discuss the value of having a philosophy of life. They offer bite-sized chunks of various life philosophies to use as a springboard for building your own. Continue reading to learn how to make your own philosophy in life with inspiration from Nietzsche, Aristotle, Oscar Wilde, and others.

Walden (Life in the Woods): Overview of Thoreau’s Classic

What did Henry David Thoreau expect when he went to live in the woods? How did the experience affect him? Walden (Life in the Woods) is Henry David Thoreau’s book about the life he lived, alone, in the woods of eastern Massachusetts. More than 160 years after it was first published in 1854, people still read and find inspiration in this memoir. Continue reading for an overview of this classic book.

Who Were the Transcendentalists, and What Did They Believe?

Who were the Transcendentalists? What did they believe? What’s their legacy? Transcendentalism was a 19th-century movement in New England. The Transcendentalists, predominantly philosophers and writers, believed in the goodness of humans and nature and promoted the idea that following your intuition enables you to find meaning in your life. Read more to learn about the Transcendentalists and their ideas.

Henry David Thoreau’s Beliefs About Life and Politics

What did Henry David Thoreau believe about life and politics? How did he diverge from his fellow Transcendentalists? Why did he spend a night in jail? Henry David Thoreau’s beliefs strongly impacted the way he lived. A key figure in the Transcendentalist movement of the 19th century, Thoreau also had distinct political beliefs that influenced later generations. Read more to learn about Henry David Thoreau’s beliefs about life and politics.

Karma by Sadhguru: Insights on Karma from a Yogi

What are the key points in Karma by Sadhguru? What does Sadhguru teach about the law of karma? In Karma by Sadhguru, the author uses his background as a spiritual leader to explain how the reality of karma is different from misconceptions about it, and he details how to manage your karma. Understanding these concepts can help you live more intentionally and build positive karma. Read on to learn more about what the law of karma is and how it can apply to your life.

What Is the Real Meaning of Karma? Facts vs. Myths

What is the real meaning of karma? What are common misconceptions about karma, and how is the reality different? The real meaning of karma is the way that your body and mind change based on your experiences of emotions, thoughts, and actions. Looking at what this means in practice and how it leads to karmic consequences can grow your personal development. Continue reading to learn what karma actually is and how you can apply that understanding to your life.

Karma and Reincarnation: Fueling the Energy Body

How are karma and reincarnation linked? What does karma have to do with past lives? Karma and reincarnation are related because karma influences how we are reincarnated, and because of reincarnation, we inherit karma from past lives. Understanding the tie between these two concepts can deepen your understanding of karma whether or not you believe in reincarnation. Continue reading for more on the relationship between karma and reincarnation.