There are many ways a person can be happy, but discovering what way is best for you can be complex and hard to determine. Countless views, theories, and definitions exist to try to define happiness for everyone collectively. However, I believe that happiness is a principle you must define for yourself according to your own thoughts and experiences. In this paper, I will develop my own definition of happiness through analyzing a personal assessment of what one should do to increase happiness. I will also describe what I think happiness is and what its place is in a good life by first analyzing the writings and beliefs of many authors on the subject whose views coincide with my own, including the writings of Susan Wolfe and Thomas Hurka. Furthermore,
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Thomas Hurka lays out many of what he calls “goods” as components of a good life in his book “The Best Things in Life.” These goods include pleasure, knowledge, achievements, virtue, and love/friendships. The good I want to address that he lays out is achievement (Hurka 72). According to Hurka, “…in achievement you first form a goal in your mind…and then you realize it,” (Hurka 97). Hurka argues that there are better forms of achievement than others. He first suggests ‘going big’ in your goals. He argues that the best achievements extend as far as possible. He states this can be either in cooperation with others or in time. He also argues that a prominent goal could extend temporally. Yet, Hurka warns us not to over plan our lives and that the best lives have variety, which creates a small constraint in the achievements portion (Hurka 99-101). Another way Hurka says you can maximize your achievements is by structuring them. He promotes means-end achievement, an achievement based on achieving numerous smaller goals in the process of a higher goal. This will result in a hierarchal structure of achievements which will have more value than if you achieved the same amount of unconnected goals. He uses the example of having an overall life plan to means-end achievement (Hurka 102-106). Finally, his third component of having the best achievements is through creating complex and challenging goals for yourself. The best activities demand precision and include an extended view rather than just considering the immediate present. He does warn that we must be careful not to set goals that are too difficult for us to achieve or that are too long and create more chances for error (Hurka 106-109). Another key aspect of achievement is flow. He says in flow, “Your actions become almost automatic…you merge
Thomas Hurka lays out many of what he calls “goods” as components of a good life in his book “The Best Things in Life.” These goods include pleasure, knowledge, achievements, virtue, and love/friendships. The good I want to address that he lays out is achievement (Hurka 72). According to Hurka, “…in achievement you first form a goal in your mind…and then you realize it,” (Hurka 97). Hurka argues that there are better forms of achievement than others. He first suggests ‘going big’ in your goals. He argues that the best achievements extend as far as possible. He states this can be either in cooperation with others or in time. He also argues that a prominent goal could extend temporally. Yet, Hurka warns us not to over plan our lives and that the best lives have variety, which creates a small constraint in the achievements portion (Hurka 99-101). Another way Hurka says you can maximize your achievements is by structuring them. He promotes means-end achievement, an achievement based on achieving numerous smaller goals in the process of a higher goal. This will result in a hierarchal structure of achievements which will have more value than if you achieved the same amount of unconnected goals. He uses the example of having an overall life plan to means-end achievement (Hurka 102-106). Finally, his third component of having the best achievements is through creating complex and challenging goals for yourself. The best activities demand precision and include an extended view rather than just considering the immediate present. He does warn that we must be careful not to set goals that are too difficult for us to achieve or that are too long and create more chances for error (Hurka 106-109). Another key aspect of achievement is flow. He says in flow, “Your actions become almost automatic…you merge