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PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 1

PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 1 Ethics, Happiness, and the Good Life

Assessment Overview:

PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 1:requires you to synthesize personal values with classical philosophical theories to define what constitutes a meaningful existence. You are tasked with exploring the “Good Life” not as a state of constant pleasure, but as a byproduct of moral growth, healthy relationships, and the application of Utilitarian principles—specifically the “Greatest Happiness Principle.” By prioritizing values like autonomy and responsibility, you must demonstrate how individual freedom and ethical obligations to others work together to create the trust and social stability necessary for long-term fulfillment.

How to Pass PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 1 Ethics, Happiness, and the Good Life

  1. What does a “good life” mean to you? Go beyond just “feeling good.” Say that your idea of a good life includes growing morally and having meaningful relationships.
  2. Talk about the “Greatest Happiness Principle”: When you talk about Utilitarianism, make sure to stress that it is all about the results of actions. The goal is to make as many people as possible happy.
  3. Find Your Moral Compass: Choose a few values (like autonomy, respect, and empathy) and talk about how they affect the choices you make every day.
  4. Focus on being independent: You said that this is your most important value, so please explain why the right to make your own choices is necessary for real happiness.
  5. Find a balance between freedom and responsibility: Talk about how taking care of others makes life better for everyone, not just for yourself.
  6. Talk about moral duties: If you want to live a truly moral life, you have to treat others with respect. It’s not an option.
  7. Link Rights to Happiness: Talk about how protecting human rights (like dignity and respect) gives people the safety and security they need to find happiness.
  8. Use Academic Support: To show that your points are not just opinions, but established philosophical positions, cite authors like Sutton (2020) and Steckermeier (2020).
  9. Connect Ethics to the Community: Finish by showing that being honest builds trust, which is the “social glue” that a community needs to grow.
  10. Check for Logic: Make sure that your move from personal values to universal ethical theories (Utilitarianism) makes sense and goes smoothly.

Sample Assessment:

Ethics, Happiness, and the Good Life

For hundreds of years, philosophers have been interested in the connections between ethics, happiness, and the good life. Ethics offers a structure for making moral choices and distinguishing between right and wrong behavior. Happiness, defined as a subjective perception of overall well-being, and the good life, which includes fulfillment and a meaningful existence, are intrinsically linked. Ethical conduct and decision-making play a crucial role in fostering happiness and a fulfilling life (Sutton, 2020).

Definition of Happiness and a Well-Lived Life or the Good Life

I think that happiness and a good life are based on moral growth and building healthy relationships. I believe that happiness is a complex thing that includes a mix of emotions related to well-being. It goes beyond just feeling good to include purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. Relationships, accomplishments, physical health, and a person’s overall view of life are just a few of the things that can affect happiness (Sutton, 2020). For example, getting back together with family and friends after a long time makes people happy, as does reaching health-related goals.

Utilitarianism Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism judges actions by how well they can make people happy and joyful. An action is deemed morally right if it produces happiness for a larger number of individuals, and morally wrong if it does not. This ethical framework focuses on evaluating the moral value of actions based on happiness and human life satisfaction (Häyry, 2020).

Core Values and Their Relationship to the Definition of “the Good Life”

Personal core values are the basic rules that shape how we think, act, and make decisions. They act as a moral compass, guiding decisions in many areas of life. Values like ethics, autonomy, respect, empathy, fairness, loyalty, and security help people figure out who they are and give their lives meaning and purpose (Steckermeier, 2020). Core values such as health, autonomy, friendship, security, loyalty, and human well-being have a big impact on how happy people are with their lives and what makes a good life (Steckermeier, 2020).

The Most Important Personal Value

Autonomy and responsibility are two important values that are important for respecting other people’s right to make decisions and for carrying out caregiving duties. Autonomy, which is linked to well-being, happiness, and good feelings, helps people develop their moral values and build healthy relationships. Responsibility, which includes caring for others, finds a middle ground between duties and personal freedom. Both values enhance life satisfaction, happiness, and overall well-being (Steckermeier, 2020; Juliendo, 2018).

Ethical Obligation to Others Related to the Definition of Happiness and the Good Life

Ethical obligations toward others play a significant role in shaping the definition of the good life. Upholding rights, promoting well-being, and avoiding harm enhance life satisfaction and individual happiness. Human rights and dignity, grounded in ethical obligations, are integral to defining happiness and the good life (Łuków, 2018). Treating others with respect and dignity fosters healthy relationships and contributes to a positive and fulfilling life (Ikuenobe, 2018).

Conclusion

Core values, fundamental to individual beliefs and behaviors, guide attitudes, decisions, and actions. Embracing ethical principles cultivates meaningful relationships, trust, respect, and a sense of community, all of which are essential for a fulfilling life. These elements collectively contribute to happiness and the good life, creating conditions conducive to individual well-being, self-enlightenment, and life satisfaction (Ikuenobe, 2018).

PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 1 Ethics, Happiness, and the Good Life

Juliebdo. (2018, July 21). Responsibility core value on and off the golf course – First Tee – Silicon Valley. First Tee – Silicon Valley. https://firstteesiliconvalley.org/responsibility-core-value-on-and-off-the-golf-course/#:~:text=As%20one%20of%20The%20Nine,with%20the%20pace%20of%20play.

Łuków, P. (2018). A difficult legacy: Human dignity as the founding value of human rights. Human Rights Review, 19(3), 313–329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12142-018-0500-z

Steckermeier, L. C. (2020). The value of autonomy for the good life: An empirical investigation of autonomy and life satisfaction in Europe. Social Indicators Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-020-02565-8

Sutton, A. (2020). Living the good life: A meta-analysis of authenticity, well-being, and engagement. Personality and Individual Differences, 153, 109645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.109645

References (APA 7 Format)

  • Adriyati, P., & Hatiningsih, N. (2019). The relationship between autonomy and life satisfaction of migrant students. Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/acpch-18.2019.65
  • Bieda, A., Hirschfeld, G., Schönfeld, P., Brailovskaia, J., Lin, M., & Margraf, J. (2019). Happiness, life satisfaction, and positive mental health: Investigating reciprocal effects over four years in a Chinese student sample. Journal of Research in Personality, 78, 198–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2018.11.012
  • Häyry, M. (2020). Just better utilitarianism. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 30(2), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180120000882
  • Ikuenobe, P. (2018). Human rights, personhood, dignity, and African communalism. Journal of Human Rights, 17(5), 589–604. https://doi.org/10.1080/14754835.2018.1533455

Rubric Breakdown

Criteria Distinguished Proficient Basic
Philosophical Definitions Provides a nuanced definition of happiness and the good life supported by scholarly theory. Defines happiness and the good life clearly. Definitions are vague or purely anecdotal.
Utilitarian Application Critically analyzes how the “Greatest Happiness Principle” applies to personal decision-making. Explains the basic tenets of Utilitarianism. Mentions Utilitarianism but misapplies the theory.
Value Synthesis Deeply explores the relationship between specific core values and life satisfaction. Identifies core values and links them to the good life. Lists values without explaining their philosophical impact.
Ethical Obligations Justifies moral duties to others as a mechanical necessity for a “good life.” Describes ethical obligations to other people. Mentions others but lacks a clear ethical framework.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Happiness is a combination of good feelings and a strong sense of purpose.
  2. Talk about what the “Good Life” is: a life based on moral growth and healthy relationships.
  3. Utilitarianism is the idea that the best way to make the most people happy is to do the most good.
  4. Find out what your core values are and how they guide your moral decisions.
  5. Put Autonomy at the top of your list of values for making moral, independent choices.
  6. Explain how responsibility is the right balance between freedom and caring for others.
  7. Talk about ethical obligations as the duty to honor the rights and dignity of others.
  8. Link Dignity to Community, showing how respect makes things better for everyone.
  9. Combine the ideas to show that doing the right thing leads to personal happiness.
  10. Use academic sources to back up your personal thoughts with established philosophical research.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Utilitarianism the only way to look at the “Good Life”?

No, but for this assessment, it is a powerful tool because it measures the “Good Life” by its tangible impact on happiness. Other theories might focus on duty (Deontology) or character (Virtue Ethics).

Q: Why is “Autonomy” considered an ethical value?

Because ethical life requires agency. If you aren’t free to choose your actions, your actions cannot be judged as “right” or “wrong.” Autonomy is the foundation of moral responsibility.

Q: Does “The Good Life” mean I have to be happy all the time?

Not necessarily. Philosophically, a “Good Life” includes meaning and fulfillment, which sometimes involve hard work or sacrifice—actions that might not feel “happy” in the moment but lead to long-term satisfaction

Integrity Note

Note: Only use this assessment example for learning and structure purpose. Do not submit as your own work.
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