ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the good life for all as a guiding vision for living well within limits. It ponders what a good life may mean, how we are faring in the societal pursuit of the good life for all, and to what extent we can and should be responsible for a good life for others. The chapter supplies the reader with broad background knowledge on this topic: it introduces philosophical debates on the good life, approaches to wellbeing, distinguishes needs, satisfiers, and desires, and relates these discussions to political efforts in pursuit of wellbeing. The authors specifically address the connections between the idea of a good life and the question of needs satisfaction, and argue that a focus on needs rather than satisfiers is necessary. The chapter contextualizes these debates by pointing to developments that challenge and undermine the pursuit of the good life by societies, and explores how, despite these dynamics, we can support communities and be responsible for a good life for others.
