Thursday, September 10, 2015
Happiness
The topic of our class this week has been about happiness. What does true happiness mean? Does it mean winning the lottery and instantly becoming rich? Does it mean being the most popular kid in school? Or getting married to the love of your life? All of these things can provide happiness but isn't the meaning of true happiness, Eudaimonia. Lets begin with winning the lottery. If perhaps you did happen to win the lottery what you be truly happy? Yes you become wealthy but being wealthy doesn't always fulfill people's needs and make them happy. There are lots of wealthy people in today's world who are very unhappy but are very rich. Being popular isn't all its cracked up to be either. Achieving that honor of being the most popular kid in school is too superficial. As Aristotle thinks points out, you're always worried about what other people think of you rather than doing whats right and good. And if you're constantly worrying about other's opinions then you aren't truly happy and cannot achieve this quality as well. Marrying the love of your life is surely an example of being happy. You will be with that person the rest of your life. However, this pleasure of being married and to spend the rest of your eternal years with that person is not the real meaning of happiness. Anybody can be married, but being married doesn't possess all the qualities of true happiness. It is too easily shared. Eudaimonia comes from possessing several unique virtues. You must be content in several aspects not just one. Doing something to receive a reward or to briefly feel happy is not the definition of happiness. Aristotle believes and I agree that happiness must be pursued for its own sake not just for the sake of something else.
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You made some valid points in your post. I agree with you as well that all those instances may seem like they will bring you happiness, but it is not true happiness. I think that society have cultivated us to believe that some of the things that you mentioned will make us happy. In our society, many people equate happiness with wealth or money. I think they believe this because it seems that when you have money you can do more things and buy things to make you happy. Just like you said, this is doing something for the sake of something else which is not genuine happiness according to Aristotle. Also, people equate fame or popularity with being happy. This is also a society driven idea. Many people believe that if you are not accepted by others like the popular kids are then you have some type of issue that people do not want to be around. Lastly, everyone feels that marriage is happiness. In actuality, marriage is a complicated commitment that usually test your true happiness with another individual. I do not know of any marriage that has not had some issues or obstacles in their marriage that have not altered their happiness in one way or another. None of these examples describe true happiness, just like you said.
ReplyDeleteTayler Hildreth
I agree with your examples. Instances, such as the lottery, that bring about immediate happiness usually do not last. To achieve true happiness there has to be a deeper understanding of happiness. I agree with your point about being popular not bringing happiness. In today's time especially, people are constantly faced with images of people's seemingly perfect lives. Some people today find happiness based on the number of "likes" on an Instagram picture or Facebook post. Our generation especially needs to understand that true happiness cannot come from something that we do just to impress other people. We must be happy in ourselves without anyone's opinions or judgements deterring that. I also agree with you and Aristotle that virtues are necessary for happiness. Overall, I agree with that these are more superficial ideas of happiness compared to what Aristotle means.
ReplyDeleteYour examples are all describing different people's "pleasures". People receive pleasure out of becoming rich, being popular, or getting married and having a family. Pleasure is only temporary and does not dictate someone's true happiness in the purest form. A person could receive all of these great pleasures from performing their "calling" or function that is unique to them. Aristotle explains how everyone on Earth has a specific duty that they're really good at. By performing their unique function will ultimately give them 'eudaimonia' which will lead to success in their lives. After reaching success, they will be able to enjoy the pleasures that life can give you. Thus reaching complete happiness for its own sake rather than for your sake.
ReplyDeleteJade Housewirth
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