Good and bad are among the most general value predicates that we constantly use in everyday life. In ancient times, the good was often understood as the ultimate, meaning-giving goal that a person strives for in their life. But does this good even exist, or are there only the many goods that we value? Are there universal criteria for a good life, or just individual concepts of happiness? And can we really define the good? This volume provides an overview of philosophical theories that address these ethical questions. It covers, among others, Plato, Aristotle, and Hellenistic philosophy, as well as the Middle Ages and modern times (Kant, Mill), with an additional focus on contemporary discussions, including those by Scheler, Moore, Rawls, and in virtue ethics.