Happiness is one of the hardest words to define. In our daily lives, we encounter different definitions of this word. If we look at philosophy, there is also a wide and diverse range of approaches to this concept. Here we explain and discuss a few of these philosophical points of view.
Aristotle and metaphysical happiness
- For Aristotle, happiness is the highest desire and ambition of all human beings
- The way to reach it is through virtue
- If one cultivates within oneself the highest virtues, he or she will reach happiness.
- It is also necessary to practice prudence of character and have a good “daimon,” meaning good fate or good luck in order to lead a full and truly happy life
José Ortega y Gasset and happiness as a convergence
- According to this Spanish philosopher, a state of contentment is found when “the projected life” and “the effective life” coincide
- In other words, when the paths of what we want to be and what is true are converge
- Happiness consists of finding something that satisfies and gratifies us completely
- All humans have the potential and desire to be happy
Happiness as a Paradox
- According to Slavoj Zizek, being truly happy is a matter of opinion, and not of truth
- Each person believes that if they reach something (buy something, raise their social status, accomplish something, etc…), they will be happy
- In reality, unconsciously, what they want to reach is just another thing
Epicurus and hedonistic happiness
- Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who contradicted metaphysical philosophers
- He did not believe that happiness came only from the spiritual world, but also had a great deal to do with more earthly dimensions
- In fact, Epicurus founded a school of thought called Epicureanism, and actually had his own school which he called “The Garden”
Nietzsche and the Criticism of Happiness
- According to Nietzsche, to live peacefully and without anything, worries is the desire of mediocre people who do not give any greater meaning to life
- Happiness is an ephemeral, fleeting condition that could end at any moment
- Contentment is found in having vital strength and a fighting spirit against all obstacles that limit liberty and self-assertiveness
