The Philosophy of Happiness: Is It Possible to Define What It Means to Be Happy?

The Philosophy of Happiness: Is It Possible to Define What It Means to Be Happy?

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How do we define happiness? It’s a query that has baffled thinkers for millennia, and yet it still eludes us. In our modern era, where we’re frequently flooded with images of the "ideal life," understanding happiness can feel like pursuing an illusion. But fear not, the great thinkers has been pondering this concept for centuries, and exploring its rich history can give important wisdom into what it truly means to be happy.

The Greek thinkers were some of the first to seriously consider the concept of happiness. The philosopher Aristotle, for example, argued that true happiness, or "well-being," stems from living a life of virtue and living up to one’s abilities. He claimed that happiness isn’t just a passing state but a way of life that comes from living a balanced and deliberate life. In contrast, the philosopher Epicurus proposed a simplified take, arguing that happiness is found in the pursuit of pleasure and the reduction of suffering—though, contrary to popular belief, he placed importance on mental and spiritual enjoyment over simple bodily pleasures.

Jumping to the current era, and the pursuit of happiness is still evolving. Contemporary philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre claimed that happiness is individual and linked to personal freedom, while others, like utilitarians, argue that happiness can be evaluated by the greatest good for the greatest number. The value of philosophical thought is that it doesn’t give a standard answer. Instead, it gives multiple perspectives, inspiring us to consider what happiness looks like to each of us. In a culture driven by achievement and economic success, philosophy shows us business philosophy that happiness is a deeply personal journey, not a destination.