The ancient Greek philosophers were pretty much obsessed with the idea of a good life. I find the philosophers right on especially through the positive psychology movement of today. Research has shown that one of the greatest sources of happiness is “flow”, or the experience we get when doing something challenging that we are good at, whatever that may be; it could be writing, playing music, teaching, cooking, or just talking with friends.
I found that creating art and writing get me in touch with a part of me that appears when I’m creating. I compare it to an umpire in baseball brushing off the dirt from home plate. The creative energy and drive exist in me but can be accessed much better if I’m creating.
I call it getting in the flow of the river of the Universe. sweeping away the stuff that covers up that part of me.
The ancient Greek philosophers taught that true happiness and flourishing come from living an ethical, virtuous life dedicated to personal excellence, wisdom, and harmony. Their ideas shape much of modern positive psychology and continue to inspire those seeking purpose and fulfillment.
The Ethics of the Good Life
Ancient philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle believed virtuous living was the key to genuine happiness—what they called eudaimonia or flourishing. Instead of focusing on material gain or fleeting pleasures, they argued that a fulfilling life is built on inner harmony, personal growth, and doing good.
Socrates: Virtue and Self-Examination
Socrates taught that “the unexamined life is not worth living” and that happiness comes from developing virtues like wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice. He believed that true happiness cannot be found in external possessions but results from the health and harmony of the soul—achieved by practicing self-examination and striving to do what is right.
There is a story that describes Socrates as having a roommate that engaged in daily examination to assess whether Socrates lived up to his best ethical behavior and told the truth, a habit intrinsic to his philosophical practice. Contrary to the idea that a friend questioned him, it turns out that Socrates himself was the one who rigorously reflected on his day, questioning his actions and motivations for moral integrity. This introspective approach is the foundation of the Socratic ideal: “the unexamined life is not worth living,”
Socrates saw the pursuit of virtue as inseparable from the pursuit of happiness
Engaging in thoughtful dialogue and constant questioning refines our understanding of goodness and helps us live well.
Plato: Harmony and the Soul
For Plato, happiness is a lasting state of inner harmony maintained through the cultivation of virtues guided by reason. He described the soul as having three parts—rational, spirited, and appetitive—and believed that happiness arises when reason governs, resulting in balance and justice.
Wisdom and philosophical contemplation help individuals understand their true nature and make decisions that support their inner peace.
Justice is both a personal and societal virtue: a just person (and a just society) is structured harmoniously, allowing happiness to flourish.
Aristotle: Flourishing Through Virtue
Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia is central to his ethics. He believed happiness is not a fleeting feeling but a lifelong activity: doing and living well through the practice of virtue.
Human beings achieve their highest good by fulfilling their unique potential through rational activity in accordance with virtue.
Virtues like courage, wisdom, moderation, and kindness are developed by habit and wise choices, making happiness a result of continual growth and effort.
Aristotle’s Middle Path
Aristotle’s Golden Mean is about finding balance in life and actions. He believed that virtue - the best way to live and act - is always in the middle between two extremes:
Too much of a trait (called excess, like recklessness)
Too little of a trait (called deficiency, like cowardice)
Instead of being exactly halfway, the right amount—the “mean”—depends on you and the situation. For example:
With courage: Too little is cowardice, too much is recklessness. Courage itself sits in the middle.
With generosity: Too little is stinginess, too much is wastefulness. The virtue is generosity, in the balanced center.
Aristotle says that acting with virtue means using practical wisdom to choose the right amount for each trait. Virtue is not just average—it’s what helps people flourish and live well.
Wisdom, or prudence, is the capacity to make sensible decisions and judgments based on personal knowledge or experience. It is the ability to recognize, differentiate and choose between right and wrong. It is deemed the most essential of the four virtues. Plato considered wisdom the virtue of reason and believed that being truly virtuous is possible only when one acts on reason. In ancient Greek philosophy, wisdom is regarded as the virtue of rulers, since it enables rulers to take advice and then act prudently, based on their own reasoning.
Courage, or fortitude, is the ability to confront fear, intimidation, danger, difficulty and uncertainty. It is the ability to face a challenge without cowardice. In ancient Greece, courage was regarded as a military virtue, a character trait of soldiers waging war on the battlefield. Both Plato and Aristotle held military excellence in the utmost regard. The soldier was the Greek model for courage and heroism.
Moderation, or temperance, is the quality of practicing self-restraint and self-control. Plato thought that controlling the appetite, instead of being driven by reckless desires, was an indispensable virtue. He wrote another Socratic dialogue, Charmides, on the virtue of temperance. Since the time of Plato, temperance has been associated with abstinence and sobriety.
Justice, the bond that unites the other three virtues is justice. Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable, particularly in how decisions are made and the way people are treated. Plato believed that a person would become just after having achieved the other three virtues. He emphasized the interconnectedness of the four virtues, stating that the human soul is perfect when all of those parts are present and functioning. He believed that society is ordered through justice, but this can be attained only when the human soul is well ordered. According to Plato, only just people can create a just society.
Lasting happiness is only attainable through a “complete life”—active engagement, reflection, and excellence over time.
Connecting Ancient Ethics to Modern Positive Psychology
Positive psychology builds on these ancient insights by emphasizing the role of personal strengths, character development, and engagement (or “flow”) as sources of well-being. The Greek focus on virtue, wisdom, and meaningful activity aligns with what research now shows: fulfillment comes from using our talents purposefully, building strong relationships, and living in accordance with deeply held values.
Why Ethics and Virtue Matter
Being an ethical, virtuous person is vital not just for personal happiness, but for a flourishing community and meaningful life. Practicing virtues daily creates inner harmony, helps us navigate challenges with resilience, and supports positive, thriving relationships—as true for the Greeks as it is for us
If you're inspired by ancient wisdom and the science of happiness, strive to make ethical choices, cultivate virtues, and seek harmony in your life - your path to flourishing begins at any moment you realize and adhere to the Truth.
