Abstract

This chapter examines the concepts of citizenship and the good life as they were understood in the ancient world, both East and West. It begins with the writings of Cicero, which stress political engagement, and compares them with the non-engagement of Epicureanism, in which living lathe biosas (λάθε βιώσας, ‘the obscure life’) was seen as the surest way to achieve ataraxia (ἀταραξία, ‘tranquillity’). It then examines Plato’s and Aristotle’s writings. Plato was concerned with how to conduct the good life, but asked ‘what is good?’ He tried to answer this by positing ideals that are too unattainable. Aristotle, on the other hand, thought that humans could indeed lead a good life and sought how this could be achieved, formulating his famous ‘doctrine of the mean’. The chapter ends with a brief look at Confucius, particularly his concept of the junzi (君 子, ‘gentleman’). One thing all of these philosophers had in common was their pragmatism. They were all studying the good life from a practical standpoint, because they understand that the human being is basically a zoon politikon (ζῷον πoλιτικόν, ‘political animal’) and therefore the good life is politically engaged, active, and full of social contact. Good citizens have to cultivate this political and social engagement if they want to enjoy a fulfilled existence and lead a good life.

Keywords: philosophy, citizenship, polis (πόλις), good life, junzi (君子, ‘gentleman’)