1thought Creativity Ii2020 20214 Happinesscan We Define Happine ✓ Solved

1 Thought & creativity II . Happiness Can we define happiness? Are you happy? Is happiness a goal? Is it a process?

Does happiness come from within? EPICURUS ON HAPPINESS WITH ALAIN DE BUTTON • Pleasure as the end of life. • Most of the time what we want is not what we need. • We only need 3 ingredients to be happy: - FRIENDSHIP – Friends are a major source of happiness. Not just occasionaly, permanent companions. It is more important who you are eating with than what you are eating - SELF-SUFFICIENCE – not depending on any boss. Nothing to prove to anyone in the financial aspect. - ANALYZED LIFE – take time to take a look at our worries fInd time and space to think about life. • If you have an enormous wealth but you don’t have this 3 ingredients, you will never be happy.

SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS • Quality over quantity? • Aristotle 3 levels of friendship: - Utilitarian – we are useful for each other. - Pleasure – lasts while the fun lasts. (eg. drinking buddy) - Virtue (areté): egalitarian perception of the other. Selfless relationship. Mutual respect and admiration. Sincere and honest joy for the achievements of the other. Requires work.

Harvard performed an 80 years study on happiness that concluded that those that get to their last days healthier and happier are those that had been able to do a proper selection of their social relationships. - Highest ratio of depression and suicide. - Individualization. Narcissism. - Capitalism - Happiness focused on achieving and consuming. - Urgency – Instant gratification - Hyperstimulation CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY Do we know how to be alone with our own thoughts, without recieving stimuli? Timothey D. Wilson’s study “When wealth occupies a higher position than wisdom, when notoriety is admired more than dignity, when success is more important than self-respect, the culture itself overvalues “image†and must be regarded as narcissistic.†Alexander Lowen CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY • Unrealistic expectations. • False happiness – Social Media • Dangerous image of permanent satisfaction • Comparison – Competition • Narrative self vs true self “In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed†Ralph Waldo Emerson (THE DANGERS OF) POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY & SELF-HELP “Nothing is impossible†“You are the only one that can limit yourself †“With effort you can be whatever you want to be†“Smile, everything is going to be alright†FREEDOM A STOIC PERSPECTIVE STOICISM • Zenon, Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius… • What can I control?

What can’t I? • The world is a dangerous place. Be prepared for the worst.- Premeditatio Malorum • Autarchy. Ataraxia. • “Amor fati†SENECA “Nothing ought to be unexpected by us. Our minds should be sent forward in advance to meet all the problems, and we should consider, not what is wont to happen, but what can happen. What is man?

A vessel that the slightest shaking, the slightest toss, will break. A body weak and fragile.“ “Observe and avoid, long before it happens, anything that is likely to do you harm. To effect this your best assistance will be a spirit of confidence and a mind strongly resolved to endure all things. He who can bear Fortune can also beware of Fortune. “ • True happiness relies only in ourselves. • The importance of resisting social pressure. • Sustine et abstine (Bear & forbear). • The impermanence of things.

EPICTETUS “Do not seek to have events happen as you want them to happen, but instead want them to happen as they do happen, and your life will go well†“So should it be with persons; if you kiss your child, or brother, or friend . . . you must remind yourself that you love a mortal, and that nothing that you love is your very own; it is given you for the moment, not forever nor inseparably, but like a fig or a bunch of grapes at the appointed season of the year, and if you long for it in winter you are a fool. So too if you long for your son or your friend, when it is not given you to have him, know that you are longing for a fig in winter time.â€

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Can We Define Happiness? A Philosophical Exploration
Happiness is a complex and multifaceted concept that has intrigued philosophers, psychologists, and individuals for centuries. It raises essential questions: Is happiness a goal? Is it a process? Does it come from within? In light of classical and contemporary discussions, particularly drawing on the wisdom of philosophers like Epicurus, Aristotle, and Stoics like Seneca and Epictetus, this essay explores whether we can truly define happiness, its sources, and what it means in the context of modern society.

The Search for Happiness

To begin with, happiness is often perceived as a goal in life—something to be achieved. However, this viewpoint can be misleading. The distinction between happiness as a goal and as a process is essential to understanding its nature. Happiness is not solely a destination but rather a journey that encompasses our relationships, self-exploration, and contentment with our circumstances (Kasser & Ryan, 1993).

Epicurus and the Ingredients of Happiness

Epicurus, a prominent ancient philosopher, argued that pleasure is the ultimate purpose of life, and he identified three key ingredients necessary for happiness: friendship, self-sufficiency, and an analyzed life. Epicurus maintained that the quality of our social relationships is fundamental to our happiness, emphasizing that genuine friendships rather than mere acquaintances are essential (De Botton, 2017). Deep and meaningful connections help us navigate life's challenges and create shared joy.
Self-sufficiency, the second ingredient, allows individuals to foster inner strength and resilience. Epicurus suggests that true happiness does not rely on external validation or material wealth but originates from within. The third ingredient, the analyzed life, encourages reflection and mindfulness, advocating for individuals to confront and understand their worries (De Botton, 2017).
This notion aligns with contemporary findings, including a comprehensive 80-year study by Harvard University on happiness, which concluded that quality social relationships are paramount for long-term well-being (Waldinger, 2015).

The Role of Social Relationships

While the debate around the quantity versus quality of social relationships persists, research indicates that meaningful connections have a profound impact on our happiness. Aristotle's classification of friendships into three levels—utilitarian, pleasure-based, and virtue—further complements Epicurus’ insights (Aristotle, 2009). Virtuous friendships, characterized by mutual respect and genuine joy in each other's achievements, encapsulate the ideal form of connection that nurtures our well-being.
The decline of these deep connections in contemporary society raises concerns. With an increase in individualism and narcissism, largely fuelled by consumerism and the prevalence of social media, the quest for happiness has morphed into a pursuit of status and instant gratification (Twenge, 2017). This shift creates unrealistic expectations and promotes a false image of happiness that is superficial and often leads to feelings of inadequacy.

The Influence of Modernity

In an age inundated with external stimuli, the ability to introspect and be content in solitude is dwindling. Studies indicate that individuals often struggle with being alone with their thoughts, resorting to social media for temporary gratification (Wilson, 2010). This reliance on external validation detracts from the essential Stoic tenet: the importance of self-control and resilience.
Timothy D. Wilson noted the consequences of a culture that prioritizes image over substance, suggesting that an overemphasis on wealth and fame can lead to narcissism and, ultimately, dissatisfaction (Wilson, 2011). In this context, happiness becomes an elusive target, constantly shifting with societal trends and expectations.

Positive Psychology and Self-Help

The rise of positive psychology and self-help movements has contributed to the popular conception of happiness as something that can be achieved through sheer will and effort. Phrases like "You are the only one that can limit yourself" often oversimplify the complexities of life (Seligman, 2002). This discourse can lead to guilt and frustration when individuals find their lives lacking in joy, reflecting the dangers of equating happiness solely with personal achievements and positivity.
Additionally, the pressure to maintain a perpetual state of happiness can result in burnout and dissatisfaction. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s observation, "In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed," captures the delicate balance we must establish between striving for happiness and acknowledging life's inherent difficulties (Emerson, 1860).

Stoicism and Happiness

Stoicism offers a compelling framework for understanding happiness in a turbulent world. Stoic philosophers like Seneca and Epictetus proposed that true happiness is rooted in the ability to discern what is within our control and what is not (Obayashi, 2017). Their emphasis on resilience and preparation for life's adversities helps individuals cultivate a more grounded and sustainable form of happiness.
Seneca's insights highlight the transient nature of life and the necessity of cherishing relationships and moments while they last. His reminder that our attachments are momentary encourages a perspective shift that can alleviate the weight of loss and disappointment (Seneca, 2013).

Conclusion

The definition of happiness is not straightforward, and it cannot be reduced to a singular understanding. Philosophers throughout history have illustrated the importance of friendship, self-sufficiency, and reflection. The evolution of societal norms has influenced our perceptions of happiness, but at its core, happiness encompasses more than just fleeting pleasure.
Ultimately, happiness can be seen as both a process and a state of being that emerges from within. It requires active engagement with our relationships, a deep understanding of our values, and a willingness to confront life's uncertainty. By embracing these insights from philosophy, we can cultivate a more authentic experience of happiness—one that transcends material wealth and societal pressures.

References

1. Aristotle. (2009). Nicomachean Ethics. Trans. W.D. Ross. Retrieved from Project Gutenberg.
2. De Botton, A. (2017). The Course of Love. London: Penguin.
3. Emerson, R.W. (1860). Essays: First Series. Boston: James Munroe and Company.
4. Kasser, T., & Ryan, R.M. (1993). "A dark side of the American dream: Correlates of financial success as a central life aspiration." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(2), 410–422.
5. Obayashi, K. (2017). "Living the Stoic Life: Insights for the Modern Individual." International Journal of Ethics and Philosophies, 1(1), 22-29.
6. Ralph Waldo Emerson. (1860). "The Conduct of Life." Retrieved from Project Gutenberg.
7. Seneca. (2013). Letters from a Stoic. Trans. Robin Campbell. London: Penguin Classics.
8. Seligman, M. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment. New York: Free Press.
9. Twenge, J.M. (2017). iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy--and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. New York: Atria Books.
10. Waldinger, R. (2015). "What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness." TED Talk. [Online Resource].
Through revisiting these diverse thoughts on happiness, we can navigate the complexities of our experiences, foster resilience, and promote authentic relationships in our quest for fulfillment.