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A History of Ideas

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Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the work of key philosophers and their theories.

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A History of Ideas: Philosopher Jules Evans on Aristotle and Flourishing

How Do I Live a Good Life?

31/03/2015

Philosopher Jules Evans on Aristotle and Flourishing

BBC Radio 4 - A History of Ideas, Philosopher Jules Evans on Aristotle and Flourishing

Philosopher Jules Evans asks Gus O'Donnell how to measure the good life.

Jules Evans wants to prove there has been a revival of Aristotle's ideas about flourishing. He asks former head of the civil service Gus O'Donnell how to measure the good life.

Philosopher Jules Evans wants to prove there's been a revival of Aristotle's ideas about flourishing and how to live a good life. "These ideas, which many of you might think are a bit dusty, they are central to modern politics, so the National Office of Statistics now measures national eudaimonic wellbeing, their flourishing."
To prove his point he visits Gus O'Donnell, former head of the civil service, who explains: "If you think of one thing governments could do, it would be to get rid of misery. Making multi-millionaires a little happier, to me that's not one the pressing public policy issues of our age."
And James O'Shaughnessy explains why he's helping to set up a chain of schools called Floreat based on Aristotle's flourishing concept.
Jules Evans is the author of Philosophy for Life.
The producer is Miles Warde.

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