What kind of person should I become?
- Aristotle → Virtuous person
- Confucius → Junzi
- Stoicism → Sage
- Buddhism → Enlightened person (or the ideal practitioner on the path)
- Nietzsche → Self-overcoming
What is the goal of human life?
Ancient greeks:
- Aristotle: To flourish (eudaimonia) through the cultivation of virtue. Becoming an excellent human being through reason, virtue, friendship, and meaningful activity.
- Seneca: to live according to virtue and nature. External events no longer determine your peace.
- Socrates: to live an examined life. The goal isn’t certainty—it’s the continual pursuit of wisdom.
- Plato: align your soul with truth and the Good.
Hellenistic schools: - Epicurus: to attain tranquility by simplifying your desires.
- Epictetus: to become internally free.
- Marcus Aurelius: to fulfill your role with dignity and virtue
Eastern ancients: - Confucious: to cultivate yourself so that you can contribute to a harmonious society. Becoming a Junzi—an exemplary person whose character benefits family, friends, and community.
- Daoism: to live in harmony with the dao. Don’t force or chase.
- Buddha: to free yourself from suffering and attachment.
Modern thinkers - Erasmus: to cultivate learning, virtue and humanity
- Nietzche: to become who you are. Self-overcoming.
- Camus:To live fully despite the absence of ultimate meaning.
Pattern: observe reality, understand reality, understand yourself, live better, help others live better.