Objective List Theory
An Argument for Objective List Theory
Richard Cunningham
University of South Carolina
Thesis:
“The good life.” Many strive to obtain it, but what is “the good life” exactly? A pervasive topic indeed, one that involves a variety of discussion, most of which revolves around one question: What is good? Fortunately, a variety of philosophical theories exist which attempt to answer, or at the very least explain, this very question. In particular, three theories (Hedonism, Desire Satisfaction, and Objective List) are considered catalysts for the discussion of what is good. Unfortunately, however, all of these theories seem to differ in their ideas of what is intrinsically good. In this paper I will argue that Objective List Theory …show more content…
In doing so she points to an often overlooked perspective on happiness, one which goes beyond subjectivity, where happiness is no longer thought of as being purely a positive state which one desires to achieve, but something that is earned and created through determination, motivation and accomplishment (or lost by lack thereof). So, it seems that if we do, in fact, define a happy life as being one of achievement, instead of just considering all of the individual moments of feeling happy and adding them up, it can then be said that there are things of value, beyond pure emotion, and desire which make up happiness. What makes this theory so attractive is the idea that there are multiple objective goods that benefit people, not just one intrinsic good (i.e. A loving relationship, knowledge, or autonomy) (Rice, “Defending the Objective List Theory of Well-Being,” p. 5). Although the list of these intrinsic values differs between theorists, reflecting on a particular decision I have made has allowed me to see that there are values that I personally believe to be intrinsic that transcend the mere satisfaction of my desires, be them material or otherwise. Whereas before this reflection, I would have been perfectly, and misguidedly, content with allowing my every wish and desire to be fulfilled no matter the means. Of course, no theory is without its flaws, and Objective List Theory holds no
Richard Cunningham
University of South Carolina
Thesis:
“The good life.” Many strive to obtain it, but what is “the good life” exactly? A pervasive topic indeed, one that involves a variety of discussion, most of which revolves around one question: What is good? Fortunately, a variety of philosophical theories exist which attempt to answer, or at the very least explain, this very question. In particular, three theories (Hedonism, Desire Satisfaction, and Objective List) are considered catalysts for the discussion of what is good. Unfortunately, however, all of these theories seem to differ in their ideas of what is intrinsically good. In this paper I will argue that Objective List Theory …show more content…
In doing so she points to an often overlooked perspective on happiness, one which goes beyond subjectivity, where happiness is no longer thought of as being purely a positive state which one desires to achieve, but something that is earned and created through determination, motivation and accomplishment (or lost by lack thereof). So, it seems that if we do, in fact, define a happy life as being one of achievement, instead of just considering all of the individual moments of feeling happy and adding them up, it can then be said that there are things of value, beyond pure emotion, and desire which make up happiness. What makes this theory so attractive is the idea that there are multiple objective goods that benefit people, not just one intrinsic good (i.e. A loving relationship, knowledge, or autonomy) (Rice, “Defending the Objective List Theory of Well-Being,” p. 5). Although the list of these intrinsic values differs between theorists, reflecting on a particular decision I have made has allowed me to see that there are values that I personally believe to be intrinsic that transcend the mere satisfaction of my desires, be them material or otherwise. Whereas before this reflection, I would have been perfectly, and misguidedly, content with allowing my every wish and desire to be fulfilled no matter the means. Of course, no theory is without its flaws, and Objective List Theory holds no