The Trajectory of a Life: Steven M. Cahn and Christine Vitrano

"A common objection often presented to students as definitive is found in Russ Shafer-Landau's widely used text The Fundamentals of Ethics, Sixth Edition (Oxford University Press, 2024), He claims that "it is hard to resist the thought that a life that begins badly but continually improves is better than a life that starts out with a bang and goes slowly, steadily downhill-even if there is no difference in the total amounts of happiness contained in each life" (39). Hence, the trajectory of a life matters in judging its goodness."

"We believe, however, that his thought should be resisted because it rests on minimizing the advantages of early success and maximizing the advantages of late success. Offering students realistic examples such as the following should be helpful in presenting the issue. Consider two philosophers, A and B, who receive their doctorates at the same age and in the same year. Within a decade, A publishes a book widely regarded as a key work in the development of contemporary epistemology. A, therefore, receives an appointment at a prestigious university, is invited to give a variety of named lectures, and is celebrated throughout the world. As the years go by, A publishes less and less, and the later efforts are widely regarded as unimpressive, Yet, A continues to be celebrated as the author of a famous book. Thus, A's career ends with continued admiration for the initial achievement but disappointment that later work did not live up to expectations."

The theory defended holds that the good life consists in finding happiness while acting morally. A prominent objection claims that life trajectory matters: a life that begins badly but improves may be better than one that starts well and declines, even if total happiness is equal. That objection is resisted on the grounds that it downplays advantages of early success and exaggerates advantages of late success. A realistic example contrasts Philosopher A, who achieves early, celebrated success but later declines, with Philosopher B, whose recognition arrives slowly and who suffers prolonged doubt.

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