Editorial

Abstract

There is little disagreement when we say that we seek well-being in our lives, or that well-being is desirable. Most of us have a set of references regarding what it means and implies for a life to have or lack well-being. It is also a concept we frequently hear in public policy discourse and population analyses, where programs or interventions are justified by claiming they promote the well-being of those involved, or where levels of well-being are compared across different parts of the world. In this sense, it is clear that this is a fundamental term. However, just because it is fundamental does not mean we are clear on its meaning, characteristics, or implications for our individual and collective lives. Philosophy can help us organize and refine our ideas related to well-being, making our arguments explicit and allowing us to analyze them in depth. It also allows us to explore the possible implications of the concepts we propose.