Is Happiness the Purpose of Life - 1317 Words

In the play Three Sisters the character Vershinin says, â€Å"We’re not happy and we can’t be happy; we only want happiness.† So, what’s the purpose of life? Is it to be happy? Everyone has that desire, to have happiness. We even base our decision we by how it will affect our happiness. In our life we experience happiness and unhappiness, but we are oblivious as to what happiness is. What comes to mind when thinking of happiness? Is it pleasure, the thought of the good life, prosperity, or is it something else? We won’t be able to have a response to that question until we have a notion of happiness. When reading this quote, I connected it to a few philosophical ideas. The first connection I made to was hedonism then epicureanism, stoicism, free will and existentialism. The quote made me question, are we truly happy or do we adapt to our life and think we are happy. There are two accounts of happiness: hedonism and life satisfaction theory. Life satisfaction theorist suggest that although we say we are happy, our behavior says different. In philosophy hedonism says the pursuit of one’s own pleasure should be the aim of all happiness. You must put yourself first and believe that pleasure and happiness are your main goals in life. But, what If killing makes you happy, is that right? Hedonist would say yes it is right if that’s what makes them happy because they believe that doing so might lead to long-term happiness and pleasure can be achieved that way. But what about drug addictsShow MoreRelatedHappiness and the Purpose of Life1087 Words   |  4 Pages â€Å"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.† -Aristotle What is the purpose of life? This question has had a lot of controversy from ancient philosophers and even people today. Many people may ask this question, but few know the answer. Everyone is different and yet we all ask the same question. In my class right now there are twenty-three students. Students that have grown up together and long-time friends and some are newer than othersRead MoreArgument Analysis Of Aristotles Happiness As An Essential Purpose Of Human Life1219 Words   |  5 PagesArgument Analysis More than anybody else, Aristotle treasures happiness as an essential purpose of human life and a goal in itself. Aristotle was convinced that a sincerely happy life required the fulfillment of an extensive range of conditions, including physical and mental well-being. Essentially, Aristotle argues that virtue is achieved by maintaining the mean. For Aristotle the mean was a method of achieving virtue. What is the ultimate purpose of human existence? What is the end goal for which we shouldRead MoreAristotle s Happiness As A Central Purpose Of Human Life And A Goal868 Words   |  4 PagesAristotle enshrines happiness as a central purpose of human life and a goal in itself. As a result his constant work on the topic has brought light on the subject than any other philosopher in history. Aristotle was convinced that a genuinely happy life required the fulfillment of a broad range of conditions, in conjunction with physical as well as mental well-being. Aristotle believed virtues led to happiness and virtues meant the act of achieving balance and moderation. More importantly, AristotleRead MoreThe Well Being Aristotle And Human Happiness1000 Words   |  4 PagesOur Well-Being: Aristotle and Human Happiness What is the purpose of a human being? â€Å"Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence† (Nicomachean Ethics). When one thinks about happiness, these words said by Aristotle allow us to understand its significance. Through Aristotle’s teachings, he made it clear that the point of life is to be happy. Aristotle uses the word happiness as having to do with a person’s life as a whole, and not as the constant desireRead MoreSocrates, Plato, and Aristotels View on Happiness1529 Words   |  7 PagesWhat Is Happiness What is happiness, and how can one achieve true happiness? This is the ultimate question of life and what every person is seeking an answer to. Many feel that they have found their answer in belonging to the faith of their choice, but what is it that their faith teaches them that brings them happiness? The Philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all have a similar view on what happiness is and how to achieve it. Aristotles view is based on Platos and Platos is based on SocratesRead MoreThe Human Function as It Pertains to Happiness Essay1166 Words   |  5 PagesThe Human Function as it Pertains to Happiness Humans have a function, according to Aristotle, and so it would follow that fulfilling that function makes us happy. Before we can establish that fulfilment of purpose results in happiness, we must first establish what the human function actually is, and also what constitutes good and happiness for humans. Aristotle’s arguments for happiness and human purpose help to provide answers to these questions, though as with all philosophical topics there areRead MoreHappiness : Is It Just A Thing?757 Words   |  4 PagesHappiness seems familiar with many of people. It is not measurable, touchable, profitable, nor tradable. Yet, by describing through those word above, happiness is what human seek. Definitely, every people want to be happy and no one wants to be sad. They do not only want to have happiness, but also they want to have a lot of it. However, happiness, like an untouchable thing, is an impossible thing to grasp in one’s hand. It is intangible. So how does one know if they have it? Is it just a feelingRead MoreThe Pursuit of Meaning Essay1219 Words   |  5 PagesStampede! Before you know it, people are running, pushing, grabbing items off the nearest shelf, just for the sheer fact that it’s on sale. Happiness can obviously be bought, right? Wrong. Contrary to popular belief, the idea of acceptance, or in other words, the ability to be vulnerable towards other, is taking over this culture because of the search for happiness that Americans pride themselves in taking, and sooner or later, something needs to change. As defined by the online dictionary, vulnerableRead MoreAristotle s Argument For The Function Of Man1585 Words   |  7 PagesNicomachean Ethics I.7, defined happiness as the central good that motivates all of man’s endeavors (function), in that happiness â€Å"is in itself worthy of pursuit more final than that which is worthy of pursuit for the sake of something else†¦ is always desirable in itself and never for the sake of something else.† (NE 1.7, 1097a 32-34) What is interesting to note here, is that in this sense, happiness, rather than a mental state of the mind, is perceived as a good; happiness is something that serves anRead MoreEssay on Summer Reading756 Words   |  4 PagesTo follow a life of success, happiness, and fulfillment will always begin by observing ourselves, from finding inner peace, figuring out your purpose, and pursuing it through hard work with the passion to commit in to our goal that will shape up our life. Without persistence and h ard work it is impossible to succeed. A life without direction could lead to a path of uncertainty and without contentment. Also a life without inner peace is a life without true happiness. To follow a life of success, happiness