For centuries, philosophers have aimed to answer one of the most integral questions on existence: “What is the good life?” This question has been ever-present on my mind since I was a child. An existential dread instilled in me from a young age practically paved my way to a life as a philosopher. When I first began my formal, university-level studies of philosophy, I expected this question to be harder than ever and anticipated feeling completely confused by these unending questions.
Instead, the answer came quite simply to me. The good life is a virtuous one, and a virtuous life is to fulfill one’s natural purpose. Of course, this vague definition raises numerous, well-founded questions. “What is my natural purpose?” you likely ask. I maintain that the answer is within nature.
If we observe nature, each atom, plant, animal, planet, and star has its set purpose, a unique quality that separates it from others of the same kind. Humans have the most striking separation from other terrestrial life: rationality. Unlike animals, humans possess the ability to reason, to be rational, and if we should live in accordance with nature, then virtue must be to expand our rational thought. My entire life, my mind has gravitated to the unending waves of the cosmos, enamored by the seamless systems, how everything works perfectly. Even before reading the Stoics (who, as the well-versed among us will know, I agree with), I always thought that to live with nature is to live a good life.
To be virtuous, you must explore your rationality, discover your passion—whether intellectual or otherwise—and pursue it to the ends of the earth. Live honorably, in accordance with nature, commit to your duties and responsibilities, pursue your passion, and every night, spend just a moment under the stars, admiring the order within the chaos.
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