In the opening paragraph, Bertrand Russell says, "The happy life is to an extraordinary extent the same as the good life?" What does he mean? Is this statement paradoxical?
Bertrand Russell means that being good conduces to a happy life, more than does a sybaritic life of excess and self-indulgence. According to the Oxford dictionary definition, the adjective “paradoxical “, means seemingly absurd or self-contradictory.In the words of philosopher, Bertrand Russell himself, "The happy life is to an extraordinary extent the same as the good life. ... I have written this book as a hedonist, that is to say, one who regards happiness as the good, but the acts to be recommended from the point of view of the hedonist are on the whole the same as those to be recommended by the sane moralist." [pages 189-190].
But to my understanding the above statement is self-contradictory in the sense that, a good life is not necessarily a happy life. Good life could be riches, wealth, access to everything you need, but not necessarily happy. Meanwhile on the other hand, a happy life could self accomplishment, good self esteem, feeling of fulfillment even though lots of money of wealth could be involved. Both could go together, meaning one could have a good life and be happy in, but most soften people who have a good life are not happy, like most celebrities reason why they turn to drugs and other things to find happiness or to have that happy life.
But to my understanding the above statement is self-contradictory in the sense that, a good life is not necessarily a happy life. Good life could be riches, wealth, access to everything you need, but not necessarily happy. Meanwhile on the other hand, a happy life could self accomplishment, good self esteem, feeling of fulfillment even though lots of money of wealth could be involved. Both could go together, meaning one could have a good life and be happy in, but most soften people who have a good life are not happy, like most celebrities reason why they turn to drugs and other things to find happiness or to have that happy life.
What does Russell mean by "a citizen of the universe" (¶2)?
I think he means that we are not divided by our different countries but we are one. He means people are not forced or mandatory to be a citizen of a nation but we are all citizen of the world(universe). By being a citizen of the nation you receive a greater glory. He also means being a citizen of the universe your more free and have no limitations . We might be fare away from that universe but a part of it is still with us. He makes everyone feel as thought they play an important role in the universe making people want to be a part of this universe were they are looked as, as being important.
COMPARE Russell's ethics to Peter Singer's.
POEM ONE
The good life is paved in gold
Diamonds hopes surround poor thoughts
Sobs from the poverty stricken children
Are encased in silver joy
Oh! how prides is the good life
Sitting upon a throne in a mansion
One is content with their worth
Rich in love, Rich in family, but
only making the minimum wage in money
Supporting their lifestyle will lost a fortune
All you have is your pride
Let it by shot down by shameless happiness
The desire for the finest
POEM ONE
The good life is paved in gold
Diamonds hopes surround poor thoughts
Sobs from the poverty stricken children
Are encased in silver joy
Oh! how prides is the good life
Sitting upon a throne in a mansion
One is content with their worth
Rich in love, Rich in family, but
only making the minimum wage in money
Supporting their lifestyle will lost a fortune
All you have is your pride
Let it by shot down by shameless happiness
The desire for the finest