LECTURE ON HAPPINESS

The philosophy of happiness is the philosophical concern with the existence, nature, and attainment of
happiness. Some philosophers believe happiness can be understood as the moral goal of life or as an
aspect of chance; indeed, in most European languages the term happiness is synonymous with luck.[1]
Thus, philosophers usually explicate on happiness as either a state of mind, or a life that goes well for
the person leading it.[2] Given the pragmatic concern for the attainment of happiness, research in
psychology has guided many modern day philosophers in developing their theories.[3] Ancient Greece
Democritus by Hendrick ter Brugghen, Democritus (c. 460 – c. 370 BC) is known as the 'laughing
philosopher' because of his emphasis on the value of 'cheerfulness'.[4] Plato The man who makes
everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the
very best plan for living happily — Plato, The Republic Plato (c. 428 – c. 347 BCE) teaches in the Republic
that a life committed to knowledge and virtue will result in happiness and self-realization. To achieve
happiness, one should become immune to changes in the material world and strive to gain the
knowledge of the eternal, immutable forms that reside in the realm of ideas.[5] The Chariot Allegory
from the Phaedrus is possibly Plato’s most important teaching on how to achieve inner happiness. Plato
sees societal happiness stemming from citizens treating each other justly, leading virtuous lives, and
each fulfilling their social function.[6] Aristotle A marble statue of Aristotle, created by Romans in 330
BC. Aristotle (384 – 322 BCE) was considered an ancient Greek scholar in the disciplines of ethics,
metaphysics, biology and botany, amongst others.[7] Aristotle described eudaimonia (Greek:
εὐδαιμονία) as the goal of human thought and action. Eudaimonia is often translated to mean
happiness, but some scholars contend that "human flourishing" may be a more accurate translation.[8]
More specifically, eudaimonia (arete, Greek: ἀρετή) refers to an inherently positive and divine state of
being in which humanity can actively strive for and achieve. Given that this state is the most positive
state for a human to be in, it is often simplified to mean happiness. However, Aristotle's use of the term
in Nicomachiean Ethics extends beyond the general sense of happiness.[9] Within the Nicomachean
Ethics, Aristotle points to the fact that many aims are really only intermediate aims, and are desired only
because they make the achievement of higher aims possible.[10] Therefore, things such as wealth,
intelligence, and courage are valued only in relation to other things, while eudaimonia is the only thing
valuable by itself. Aristotle regarded virtue as necessary for a person to be happy and held that without
virtue the most that may be attained is contentment. Within Aristotelian ethics, achieving virtue
involves asking the question "how should I be" rather than "what should I do". A fully virtuous person is
described as achieving eudaimonia, and therefore would be undeniably happy.[7][11] Cynics The carved
busts of Socrates, Antisthenes, Chrysippus, and Epicurus. Antisthenes (c. 445 – c. 365 BCE), often
regarded as the founder of Cynicism, advocated an ascetic life lived in accordance with virtue. Xenophon
testifies that Antisthenes had praised the joy that sprang "from out of one's soul,"[12] and Diogenes
Laërtius relates that Antisthenes was fond of saying: "I would rather go mad than feel pleasure."[13] He
maintained that virtue was sufficient in itself to ensure happiness, only needing the strength of a
Socrates. He, along with all following Cynics, rejected any conventional notions of happiness involving
money, power, and fame, to lead entirely virtuous, and thus happy, lives.[14] Thus, happiness can be
gained through rigorous training (askesis, Greek: ἄσκησις) and by living in a way which was natural for
humans, rejecting all conventional desires, preferring a simple life free from all possessions. Diogenes of
Sinope (c. 412 – c. 323 BCE) is most frequently seen as the perfect embodiment of the philosophy. The
Stoics themselves saw him as one of the few, if not only, who have had achieved the state of sage.[15]
Cyrenaics As a consequence the sage, even if he has his troubles, will nonetheless be happy, even if few
pleasures accrue to him. — Diogenes Laërtius on Anniceris[16][17] The Cyrenaics were a school of
philosophy established by Aristippus of Cyrene (c. 435 – c. 356 BCE). The school asserted that the only
good is positive pleasure, and pain is the only evil. They posit that all feeling is momentary so all past
and future pleasure have no real existence for an individual, and that among present pleasures there is
no distinction of kind.[18] Claudius Aelianus, in his Historical Miscellany,[19] writes about Aristippus: "He
recommended that one should concrete on the present day, and indeed on the very part of it in which
one is acting and thinking. For only the present, he said, truly belongs to us, and not what has passed by
or what we are anticipating: for the one is gone and done with, and it is uncertain whether the other will
come to be"[20] Some immediate pleasures can create more than their equivalent of pain. The wise
person should be in control of pleasures rather than be enslaved to them, otherwise pain will result, and
this requires judgement to evaluate the different pleasures of life.[21] Pyrrho edit Pyrrho (c. 360 – c. 270
BCE) founded Pyrrhonism, the first Western school of philosophical skepticism. The goal of Pyrrhonist
practice is to attain the state of ataraxia (ataraxia, Greek: ἀταραξία) – freedom from perturbation.
Pyrrho identified that what prevented people from attaining ataraxia was their beliefs in non-evident
matters, i.e., holding dogmas. To free people from belief the ancient Pyrrhonists developed a variety of
skeptical arguments. Epicurus edit Of all the means which wisdom acquires to ensure happiness
throughout the whole of life, by far the most important is friendship. — Epicurus[22] Epicurus (c. 341 – c.
270 BCE), the founder of Epicureanism, taught that the aim of life was to attain a state of tranquility
(ataraxia, Greek: ἀταραξία) and freedom from fear, as well as absence of bodily pain (aponia, Greek:
ἀπονία). Toward these ends, Epicurus recommended an ascetic lifestyle, noble friendship, and the
avoidance of politics. One aid to achieving happiness is the tetrapharmakos or the four-fold cure: A
papyrus copy depicting the Epicurean tetrapharmakos in Philodemus of Gadara's Adversus Sophistas –
(P.Herc.1005), col. 5 "Do not fear god, Do not worry about death; What is good is easy to get, and What
is terrible is easy to endure." (Philodemus, Herculaneum Papyrus, 1005, 4.9–14).[23] Stoics edit If you
work at that which is before you, following right reason seriously, vigorously, calmly, without allowing
anything else to distract you, but keeping your divine part pure, as if you were bound to give it back
immediately; if you hold to this, expecting nothing, but satisfied to live now according to nature,
speaking heroic truth in every word that you utter, you will live happy. And there is no man able to
prevent this. — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations[24] Stoicism was a school of philosophy established by
Zeno of Citium (c. 334 – c. 262 BCE). While Zeno was syncretic in thought, his primary influence were the
Cynics, with Crates of Thebes (c. 365 – c. 285 BCE) as his mentor. Stoicism is a philosophy of personal
ethics that provides a system of logic and views about the natural world.[25] Modern use of the term
"stoic" typically refers not to followers of Stoicism, but to individuals who feel indifferent to experiences
of the world, or represses feelings in general.[26] Given Stoicism's emphasis on feeling indifferent to
negativity, it is seen as a path to achieving happiness.[27] Stoics believe that "virtue is sufficient for
happiness".[28] One who has attained this sense of virtue would become a sage. In the words of
Epictetus, this sage would be "sick and yet happy, in peril and yet happy, dying and yet happy, in exile
and happy, in disgrace and happy."[29] The Stoics therefore spent their time trying to attain virtue. This
would only be achieved if one was to dedicate their life studying Stoic logic, Stoic physics, and Stoic
ethics. Stoics describe themselves as "living in agreement with nature."

The text you provided offers an overview of the philosophy of happiness, covering perspectives from
ancient Greek philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, the Cynics, Cyrenaics, Pyrrho, Epicurus, and the Stoics.
Each school of thought presents different views on what happiness is and how it can be attained,
ranging from virtue and knowledge to pleasure and tranquility. If you have any specific questions or
would like to delve deeper into any of these philosophies, feel free to ask!

What is true happiness based on the article provided

1. Plato: True happiness comes from knowledge and virtue, leading to self-realization and
immunity to material changes.

2. Aristotle: True happiness, or eudaimonia, is achieved through virtuous living and human
flourishing, rather than mere pleasure or external goods.

3. Cynics: Happiness is attained through living a virtuous, ascetic life free from conventional desires
and possessions.

4. Cyrenaics: Happiness is found in the pursuit of immediate pleasure, but one must exercise
judgment to avoid pain and enslavement to desires.

5. Pyrrho: True happiness is freedom from perturbation (ataraxia), achieved by suspending beliefs
in non-evident matters and practicing skepticism.

6. Epicurus: True happiness lies in tranquility, freedom from fear, and absence of bodily pain,
attained through an ascetic lifestyle and noble friendships.

7. Stoics: Happiness is achieved through virtue, living in accordance with nature, and maintaining
inner tranquility despite external circumstances.

In summary, true happiness varies across these philosophies, ranging from virtue and knowledge to
pleasure and tranquility, but all emphasize the importance of inner fulfillment and living in accordance
with certain principles or values.

Choosing the "best" philosophy of happiness depends on individual perspectives and values. Each
philosophical perspective presented in the article offers valuable insights into what happiness entails
and how it can be pursued. Some may resonate more with certain individuals based on their personal
beliefs, experiences, and goals.

That said, if we were to consider which philosophy has enduring relevance and practical applicability,
Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia stands out. Aristotle's emphasis on virtue, human flourishing, and the
pursuit of intrinsic goods aligns well with contemporary notions of well-being and fulfillment. His
approach provides a comprehensive framework that integrates ethical living, personal development,
and social harmony.

However, what may be the "best" philosophy of happiness for one person may not be the same for
another. It ultimately depends on which principles and values individuals prioritize in their own pursuit
of happiness.

Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia is central to his ethical philosophy and is often translated as
"happiness" or "flourishing." However, it's important to note that eudaimonia encompasses more than
just momentary pleasure or subjective feelings of happiness; it refers to a deeper state of well-being and
fulfillment that arises from living a virtuous life in accordance with one's true nature.

Here are key aspects of Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia:

1. Virtue: Aristotle believed that eudaimonia is closely linked to virtue, or arete in Greek. Virtue,
for Aristotle, is the excellence or proper functioning of something. For humans, virtue involves
cultivating moral and intellectual qualities that enable us to live well and fulfill our potential.
Examples of virtues include courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance.
 2. Human Flourishing: Eudaimonia is not merely the absence of pain or the pursuit of pleasure;
rather, it is the realization of one's full potential as a human being. This involves engaging in
activities that are characteristic of human nature and that promote growth, development, and
fulfillment.

3. Activity of the Soul in Accordance with Virtue: Aristotle famously stated that eudaimonia
consists in "an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue." This means that true happiness is
not a passive state but an active engagement in virtuous actions and pursuits. Eudaimonia is
found in the ongoing process of striving for excellence and living a morally virtuous life.

4. Reason and Rationality: Aristotle believed that humans are rational beings, and eudaimonia
requires the exercise of reason and practical wisdom (phronesis). Rationality enables us to
discern the good and make choices that lead to a fulfilling life. Living in accordance with reason
and wisdom is essential for achieving eudaimonia.

5. Social and Political Context: Aristotle also emphasized the importance of social and political
relationships in achieving eudaimonia. Humans are inherently social beings, and meaningful
relationships, participation in the community, and contributing to the common good are integral
to human flourishing.

Overall, Aristotle's concept of eudaimonia provides a holistic framework for understanding happiness
and well-being as rooted in virtue, reason, and the fulfillment of human potential. It emphasizes the
importance of ethical living, intellectual development, and social engagement in achieving a truly
fulfilling life.