What does it mean to live a good life?

Observer

27-02-2025

This article is a reflection on an English movie I watched last night, 'When Nietzsche Wept'. When Nietzsche Wept is a psychological drama that explores the fictional encounter between the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and Dr Josef Breuer, set in 19th-century Vienna. The film intricately weaves themes of existentialism, unfulfilled love, and intellectual struggle, ultimately highlighting the transformative power of self-exploration and emotional catharsis.
Well, we all aspire to live a good life. Yet, the definition of a good life remains elusive. Who decides what a good life is? How do we measure it? Can we ever truly know if someone is leading one? And what of those who came before us, were their lives better or worse than ours? The question persists across generations and cultures, challenging philosophers, thinkers, and ordinary people alike.
Nietzsche rejected conventional morality and social expectations as determinants of a good life. Instead, he argued for 'Übermensch' (Overman or Superman), an individual who creates their own values and rises above societal norms. 'He who has a why to live can bear almost any how,' he wrote, emphasising that meaning, rather than comfort, defines a fulfilling life. In his view, a good life is not necessarily an easy one but one where an individual carves their own path with strength and determination.
On the other hand, Albert Camus, a leading existentialist thinker, viewed life through the lens of absurdity. He questioned whether life had any inherent meaning at all. His famous metaphor of Sisyphus, eternally rolling a boulder uphill only for it to roll back down, encapsulates the struggle of human existence.
Yet, Camus argued, one must imagine Sisyphus happy. To him, the good life is not about escaping suffering but embracing the absurd and living with passion despite it. It is about finding joy in defiance, in moments of beauty, and in our personal acts of rebellion against meaninglessness.
Osho, the controversial spiritual teacher, took a more fluid and individualistic approach. He dismissed rigid philosophical frameworks and religious doctrines, advocating instead for a life of spontaneity and deep awareness. 'Don't seek, don't search, don't ask, don't knock, don't demand, relax,' he advised. For Osho, the good life is one where one lives in the present, unburdened by the expectations of society or the past.
Russian philosophers, too, have grappled with this timeless question. Fyodor Dostoevsky explored the moral and spiritual dimensions of life, often portraying characters who suffer greatly yet find redemption through faith or moral awakening. In The Brothers Karamazov, he suggests that suffering and hardship might be essential components of a meaningful existence. Similarly, Leo Tolstoy, after years of searching, concluded that a good life must be rooted in simplicity, humility, and love. Nikolai Berdyaev, another Russian philosopher, took a different approach, arguing that true fulfilment lies in creativity and spiritual freedom. He saw human beings as creators, destined to shape their world and their destinies. 'The meaning of life is revealed only through creative acts,' he wrote. This perspective aligns, in some ways, with Nietzsche's call for self-overcoming but with a greater emphasis on the spiritual aspect of human existence.
So, what does it truly mean to live a good life? Is it wealth and material success? Is it peace of mind? Is it love and relationships? Is it the pursuit of knowledge? Or is it merely survival? The answer is as varied as the human experience itself. Some find it in ambition and achievement, others in simplicity and surrender.
The pursuit of a good life is deeply personal. It is shaped by culture, personal experiences, and individual aspirations. It is a question that each of us must answer for ourselves, not through blind adherence to societal norms but through introspection and conscious choice. In the end, perhaps a good life is not something to be defined but something to be lived, authentically, courageously, and with an open heart.