Exploration questions and themes

After a discussion between Thomas and I, the following are some themes which we’re interested in exploring through our study:

What is the good life?
This is an exploration about the various views on what is the life best lived by humans. It could include the following areas:

* Personal ethics
* Various conceptions as to objectives of human existence (happiness, meaning)
* Suggested means towards these ends

What is existence?
As support for, or the idea preceding, the above conception of the good life, philosophers will describe their view of existence. We will be looking into these views of existence and the way in which they serve as the foundation for the conceptions of the good life.

What is the good society?
In order to enable the good life, a number of suggestions about the ideal society will be put forward. Through exploring this, we will look into the following:

* Social ethics
* Governance and the distribution and structure of power
* Freedom and liberty
* Contribution/role of the individual vis-à-vis the society (ie – morality)

As an underlying theme, we will be exploring the dilemma between universalism and relativism as a basis for understanding – or coming to any definite conclusions around – the above questions.