Happiness is a word known to everyone but not felt by everybody. I know itÃÂs kind of ironic since being happy is what everyone wants but unfortunately not all the time we experience this feeling. Why is this so? Before answering that question, first we should define what happiness is. What does this word really mean? To help me with this I will be using the views of 3 philosophers, particularly Aristotle, St. Augustine, and Mill, regarding happiness. I will also try to choose, among their views, which will best explain the standard of morality.
Based on AristotleÃÂs view on happiness, there are factors that brought about happiness in an individual. First is virtue. As what I know, virtue is somewhat similar with righteousness. For Aristotle, in order for an individual to acquire happiness he must possess the needed virtue or righteousness and goodness. He must be able to stand up for what he believes in.
Detail of The School of Athens by Raffaello Sanzio...
Mike Mills (REM)
Mill Street, WarwickHonesty and uprightness are also a must. Aside from virtue, obtaining happiness also depends upon wealth, pleasure and the opportunity for leisure. For Aristotle, leisure hours should not be spent in the cultivation of any art, as he considers that artistic craftsmanship belongs to the field of manual labor, and that professional skill in any of the arts is considered a disgrace to a free citizen. The ideal life, from Aristotle's point of view, seems to be one which is given over entirely to intellectual research and contemplation -- the life of a cultivated and reflective country gentlemen, remote from the workaday world.
Another view on happiness is given by St. Augustine of Hippo. All people want to be happy, but how do people know of happiness? For Augustine, true happiness can only be found with God. Happiness,