Question

Heathwood wrote that a good life is one that in which we get what we desire. He argues that our life is good to the extent that we get what we want, so long as we are aware of it, and so long as we experienced a genuine desire to get what we wanted.

Your assignment:

1. Is a good life one in which we get what we desire? Consider this question and write two or more paragraphs defending your response to this writing prompt.

Answer 1

One of the most important things about a good life is that it’s not about getting what one desires but deriving happiness and content in what one gets or what one has. Most of the time, people think that one who has everything that one wanted is the happiest person or live a fulfilled life. The truth is far from this because when people keep looking for things that they desire, there wouldn’t be any stopping because human beings are driven by their desires. When one gets a cycle, one would want a motorbike, when one gets a motorbike, one would desire for a car, thus, desires are endless. This would mean even after getting what one wants, one may not be happy and content.

A happy life is one in which people are happy with what they have while at the same time strive for excellence, however, in the pursuit of whatever they desire, they don’t get disappointed when they don’t get them. This would mean that when people constantly strive for things, they may get disappointed if they don’t get them. Desire without expectation would keep people happy and content even if they don’t get whatever they want. Another important reason is that when people strive for their desires and wants, they would do anything to achieve it even if it is at the expense of others. So, I disagree that a good life is one in which one gets what one wants.

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