MORTIMER J. ADLER ON WHAT EVERY PERSON
*NEEDS* IN ORDER TO LIVE A GOOD LIFE
1. LIMITED GOODS * -- Enough, or as much as justice allows.
* These goods are not completely within our own power to obtain
BIOLOGICAL SUSTENANCE - Food, Drink, Clothing and Shelter
HEALTH - Physical and Mental
WEALTH
FRIENDSHIP/LOVE - Family, Associations and Fraternities
PLEASURE
CIVIL PEACE
POLITICAL POWER - Citizenship with Suffrage
FREE TIME - For Omnibus Self-improvement, Rest and Play
SATISFACTION - Of Innocuous Wants
*GOOD FORTUNE*
2. UNLIMITED GOODS -- Cannot be possessed in excess.
These goods are completely within our own power to obtain.
MORAL VIRTUE * -- The Habits of Right Desire; habit of right choices about actions to be taken.
TEMPERANCE -- Habit of resisting and limiting immediate pleasures for a future good.
FORTITUDE -- Habit of suffering pain or discomfort for a future good.
JUSTICE -- Habit of concern for the good of others and community welfare.
PRUDENCE -- Habit of right judgment or choices of the means for attaining the right end.
* Analytically distinct but not existentially distinct -- you cannot possess one without the others.
3. INTELLECTUAL VIRTUES * -- Good Habits in the Use of the Intellect.
SPECULATIVE -- Knowledge, Understanding, and Speculative Wisdom.
PRACTICAL -- Art or Skill, Prudence or Practical Wisdom (habit of right choices about decisions to be made).
* Analytically and existentially distinct -- you can possess one without the others.