Well-being as enjoying the good

Abstract

Well-being consists of enjoying the good. This paper explores this view of well-being and offers a series of arguments and questions aimed at deepening its understanding. It argues that for someone to be well-off, they need to experience pleasure in possessing objective goods. This view is contrasted with traditional hedonistic and preference-based views, as well as with objectivist theories of well-being. Furthermore, the paper explores the nature of the connection between pleasure and objective goods, arguing that the connection must be genuine, involving a belief in the goodness of the goods enjoyed. The paper also considers the implications of this view for virtue, arguing that at least some virtue is required for well-being. Finally, the paper explores how the amount of well-being generated can vary depending on the amount of pleasure experienced, the value of the good enjoyed, and the degree to which one possesses the good. – AI-generated abstract.