Happiness, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder. If you ask anyone, what is their ultimate goal in life; the majority may say it is to find happiness. This may appear to be simple enough, yet it seems to be quite complex and elusive to most. This pursuit is seldom, if ever, achieved in one’s lifetime. While it is difficult to answer the question as to whether it is selfish to pursue happiness for oneself, it would be practical to say that it is not. Happiness varies from person to person. While some people are contented with the simplest things in life like loving and being loved in return, going for a stroll on the beach, reading a good book, watching their favourite movie or having a personal relationship with their God; others
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Socrates’ views were that in order for humans to be happy, they had to seek it out for themselves. He further theorized that material things did not necessarily lead to happiness, but by following the right path or demonstrating both moral and ethical principles one would find happiness. Furthermore, he felt that since it was within our power to think rationally, then we were ultimately the authors of our own happiness. Following on Socrates’s premise on happiness, was his student Plato, who advanced the theory that reasoning or thought processes, was the most important element of achieving a happy state. Aristotle, Plato’s student, had a contrasting interpretation to both Socrates and Plato in this regard. He theorized that observation was instrumental in understanding how anything functioned and the wellbeing and happiness of individuals, was impacted by material possessions, the environment and physical appearance. Despite his opposing ideas on happiness, Aristotle shared Plato’s view that the use of reasoning to understand our environment was instrumental in leading a productive and happy life. (Burton, …show more content…
In a video from the Happiness Show series, Ortega, (2003), highlighted the importance of maintaining positive attitudes while trying to understand the causes of our negative feelings, as we encounter life’s trials. As emotional beings, it is natural to experience negative feelings such as fear and anger, as well as positive feelings – such as enjoyment and hope. To deny that we all get angry, experience sorrow, frustration and fears, would negate the fact that we are but human. It is inevitable that we have to face both the good and bad in
Socrates’ views were that in order for humans to be happy, they had to seek it out for themselves. He further theorized that material things did not necessarily lead to happiness, but by following the right path or demonstrating both moral and ethical principles one would find happiness. Furthermore, he felt that since it was within our power to think rationally, then we were ultimately the authors of our own happiness. Following on Socrates’s premise on happiness, was his student Plato, who advanced the theory that reasoning or thought processes, was the most important element of achieving a happy state. Aristotle, Plato’s student, had a contrasting interpretation to both Socrates and Plato in this regard. He theorized that observation was instrumental in understanding how anything functioned and the wellbeing and happiness of individuals, was impacted by material possessions, the environment and physical appearance. Despite his opposing ideas on happiness, Aristotle shared Plato’s view that the use of reasoning to understand our environment was instrumental in leading a productive and happy life. (Burton, …show more content…
In a video from the Happiness Show series, Ortega, (2003), highlighted the importance of maintaining positive attitudes while trying to understand the causes of our negative feelings, as we encounter life’s trials. As emotional beings, it is natural to experience negative feelings such as fear and anger, as well as positive feelings – such as enjoyment and hope. To deny that we all get angry, experience sorrow, frustration and fears, would negate the fact that we are but human. It is inevitable that we have to face both the good and bad in