| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The International Encyclopedia of Ethics |
| Editors | Hugh Lafollette |
| Publisher | Wiley Publishing |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781444367072 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2013 |
Abstract
In ordinary speech, “well-being” is often used interchangeably with such terms as “health,” “happiness,” and “prosperity” (see Happiness). To be concerned about someone's well-being is to care whether he is doing or faring well. The word “well” that appears in these expressions plays an evaluative role – it is the adverbial form of the adjective “good,” and of course “good” is a grade we use to evaluate things. If someone is well-off, his life is good. Hence, it is not surprising that we commonly move back and forth so easily between “well-being” and such terms as “health,” “happiness,” and “prosperity”: most people assume that the life of a human being is a good one – that someone living such a life is faring well – only if it has at least some measure of these goods.
