Utilitarianism, Stoicism, and Jewish Theology on Human Flourishing

Explore three great thinkers—John Stuart Mill, Seneca, and Abraham Joshua Heschel—on what it means to live a good life. From utilitarianism to Stoicism to Jewish theology, each offers a strikingly different vision of agency, circumstances, and feelings.

Highlights

1. “For Mill, a good life is one that increases pleasure and decreases pain.”
2. “For Seneca, to lead life well means to live according to virtue.”
3. “Heschel says a life led well can only be one that accords with the commands of God.”
4. “A good life doesn’t just feel joy, it also feels awe.”
5. “By asking these questions, you start to piece together a really comprehensive vision of life.”

Notes

Mill’s view

• “For Mill, a good life is one that increases pleasure and decreases pain.”
• Agency and circumstances both measured by utility.

Seneca’s view

• “For Seneca, to lead life well means to live according to virtue.”
• Circumstances irrelevant to the good life.
• Affect: subtle satisfaction of a virtuous life.

Heschel’s view

• “Heschel says a life led well can only be one that accords with the commands of God.”
• Circumstances matter: health, community, education.
• Affect includes joy, awe, and lament.
• “A good life doesn’t just feel joy, it also feels awe.”

Integration and contrast

• Mill: agency, circumstances, and feelings mediated by utility.
• Seneca: virtue alone, circumstances irrelevant.
• Heschel: multi-faceted vision of God, community, and feeling.

‍

Ryan McAnnally-Linz is Associate Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture and co-author of Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most.