Serenity595
Active Member
Introduction
What is happiness, exactly? Is it a purely physical pleasure that can only be experienced by the senses, or is it a state of mind that is the absence of pain? Is happiness simply a way to survive the troubles of life or is it the sum quality of a lifetime?
Or is it something else entirely?
There are many definitions and philosophies regarding happiness, so I will only go over the four that tend to be the most prevalent in culture and society.
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Hedonism
Simply defined, it's the philosophical view that happiness is pleasure. In this context, pleasure is only physical. The Greek philosopher Aristippus (435 - 356 B.C.), an advocate of Hedonism, believed that there was no satisfaction in even the memory or anticipation of pleasure. Rather, only what was experienced in the moment could be considered true happiness.
Diego Velazquez's (1599 - 1660) Los Borrachos (The Drunkards), depicting the philosophy of Hedonism through laughter and social drinking
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Epicureanism
This philosophy regards that happiness is avoiding pain. Contrary to a Hedonist, an Epicurean mainly derives his happiness from being in a state of mind that is absent of pain, rather than simply feeling pleasure for a few brief moments. An Epicurean usually deals with pain by hoping for good in the future. The Greek formulator of Epicureanism, Epicurus (c. 341 - 270 B.C.), was against the beliefs of Hedonism and saw them as being illogical and insufficient. He believed true happiness came from a peaceful outlook rather than a mental euphoria.
Michelangelo's (1475 - 1564) The Creation of Adam, depicting the philosophy of Epicureanism through man's desire for no more pain
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Stoicism
While Hedonism tells us to plan ahead for a life of many pleasures and Epicureanism advises us to avoid pain through discipline of the mind, Stoicism offers no such "illusions". Instead, a Stoic expects pain and rolls with the punches. However, even amidst such chaos, a Stoic can still believe that such pain happens for an orderly reason, even if that reason is not entirely understood. The first major advocate of Stoicism, another Greek philosopher by the name of Zeno (335 - 264 B.C.), would have believed in human reason and the assumption that mankind was a higher form of life in order to come to such a conclusion about happiness.
Leonardo da Vinci's (1452 - 1519) Ginevra de' Benci, depicting the philosophy of Stoicism through the woman's look of indifference
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Aristotelianism
Though a Stoic would view life by the measure of his ability to deal with pain, an Aristotelian would reflect on his life by examining the sum quality of his entire lifetime, whether they were influenced by Hedonistic or Epicurean tendencies. In this context, happiness is defined by a summary of one's life rather than fleeting outbursts of joy. Aristotle (384 - 322 B.C.) concluded that things such as money, health, or love were provisions for happiness, but not happiness themselves. Rather, they were a means to an end.
Carvaggio's (1571 - 1610) Narcissus depicting the philosophy of Aristotelianism through reflections
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Conclusion
Now that you have learned about several philosophies regarding the subject of happiness, which do you believe best describes your outlook on life? Do you live for the moment or plan for a stable and content life? Do you use happiness as a strategy for survival or as a way to measure the sum quality of your life? Or perhaps do you do something differently?
I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Thanks for reading.
What is happiness, exactly? Is it a purely physical pleasure that can only be experienced by the senses, or is it a state of mind that is the absence of pain? Is happiness simply a way to survive the troubles of life or is it the sum quality of a lifetime?
Or is it something else entirely?
There are many definitions and philosophies regarding happiness, so I will only go over the four that tend to be the most prevalent in culture and society.
___
Hedonism
Simply defined, it's the philosophical view that happiness is pleasure. In this context, pleasure is only physical. The Greek philosopher Aristippus (435 - 356 B.C.), an advocate of Hedonism, believed that there was no satisfaction in even the memory or anticipation of pleasure. Rather, only what was experienced in the moment could be considered true happiness.
Diego Velazquez's (1599 - 1660) Los Borrachos (The Drunkards), depicting the philosophy of Hedonism through laughter and social drinking
___
Epicureanism
This philosophy regards that happiness is avoiding pain. Contrary to a Hedonist, an Epicurean mainly derives his happiness from being in a state of mind that is absent of pain, rather than simply feeling pleasure for a few brief moments. An Epicurean usually deals with pain by hoping for good in the future. The Greek formulator of Epicureanism, Epicurus (c. 341 - 270 B.C.), was against the beliefs of Hedonism and saw them as being illogical and insufficient. He believed true happiness came from a peaceful outlook rather than a mental euphoria.
Michelangelo's (1475 - 1564) The Creation of Adam, depicting the philosophy of Epicureanism through man's desire for no more pain
___
Stoicism
While Hedonism tells us to plan ahead for a life of many pleasures and Epicureanism advises us to avoid pain through discipline of the mind, Stoicism offers no such "illusions". Instead, a Stoic expects pain and rolls with the punches. However, even amidst such chaos, a Stoic can still believe that such pain happens for an orderly reason, even if that reason is not entirely understood. The first major advocate of Stoicism, another Greek philosopher by the name of Zeno (335 - 264 B.C.), would have believed in human reason and the assumption that mankind was a higher form of life in order to come to such a conclusion about happiness.
Leonardo da Vinci's (1452 - 1519) Ginevra de' Benci, depicting the philosophy of Stoicism through the woman's look of indifference
___
Aristotelianism
Though a Stoic would view life by the measure of his ability to deal with pain, an Aristotelian would reflect on his life by examining the sum quality of his entire lifetime, whether they were influenced by Hedonistic or Epicurean tendencies. In this context, happiness is defined by a summary of one's life rather than fleeting outbursts of joy. Aristotle (384 - 322 B.C.) concluded that things such as money, health, or love were provisions for happiness, but not happiness themselves. Rather, they were a means to an end.
Carvaggio's (1571 - 1610) Narcissus depicting the philosophy of Aristotelianism through reflections
___
Conclusion
Now that you have learned about several philosophies regarding the subject of happiness, which do you believe best describes your outlook on life? Do you live for the moment or plan for a stable and content life? Do you use happiness as a strategy for survival or as a way to measure the sum quality of your life? Or perhaps do you do something differently?
I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Thanks for reading.
It's your opinion on happiness, and all opinions are welcome. I haven't researched the science behind our emotions much, but I would assume your description of the process of emotions in our brains is correct.
