Happiness in the Field of Psychology - Essay Example

Happiness Introduction A lot of research has been done on happiness in the field of psychology as well as from philosophical point of view. There are various definitions about happiness. According to ancient philosopher Aristotle happiness to him was a supreme good which has a goal that had an end to itself. An excerpt from book X by Aristotle shows an argument about pleasure. (Warne) In this excerpt, Eudoxus who is a member from Plato’s academy makes an argument about pleasure. He says that pleasure is good since it makes us achieve things that are more desirable but it is not an end to itself therefore it is not a supreme good. However, Eric G Wilson the author of Against Happiness does not believe that we should always be happy. In his book, he criticizes the positive attitude that is widely adopted and used in the US. He says’ “we are addicted to happiness. More than any other generations, Americans today believe in the power of positive thinking. But who says we are supposed to be happy?” That is a question asked by Wilson the author of the book against happiness. On the other hand, according to the Atlantic magazine, people who took part in their communities and governments are happier than those who did not. This paper is going to analyze the different concepts of happiness right from the philosophical point of view to the current world. The paper will summarize and give a comprehensive analysis and make logical conclusions based on the evidence provided. Analysis According to the oxford English dictionary, “happiness is characterized by positive or pleasant emotions from contentment of joy”. This definition is close to Aristotle’s definition. According to Aristotle, “happiness is the supreme good and must be an end to itself”. In his argument, Aristotle says that although pleasure is a supreme good but it is not an end to itself (Neel Burton). This is because pleasure is leading us to acquire other things that will make us happy. Similarly, Plato argues that other thing like intelligence are only making pleasure more desirable and therefore does not qualify to be happiness since it is not a means to an end. Moreover, Plato argues that not all pleasure is desirable and therefore it is not a supreme good. In his argument Aristotle says that happiness is an activity and a process which should be our ultimate goal in life. Aristotle is keen to warn us that we should not confuse pleasure and happiness. Pleasure is not a process since it does not move from incomplete state to a complete state and therefore does not take place over certain duration of time. Aristotle connects reasoning with happiness which is the supreme good. He says, “no one cannot choose to be a gardener if he/she does not know what it is’. For this reason, for us to live the life of supreme good we must be able to use and develop our reasoning. Reasoning in this case must also be based on rational principles. Aristotle further affirms Plato’s argument about happiness that, ‘it is not a state but an activity which is profound and enduring’. Aristotle was also keen to mention that certain factors like our material wealth and wellbeing can affect our happiness. Our happiness is determined by our social status within the communities we live in. irrespective of these facts, Aristotle still believed that man can live happily so long us we live our lives fully according to our essential nature as rational beings. By this Aristotle believes that one should only live according to their means. Just as the wise saying goes, cut your coat according to your size. For this reason, every human being under rational reasoning is bound to happy. This sentiment can be supported by the declaration of independence of the thirteen United States of America. The declaration stated clearly that all men are equal before God and that respect for human life is important. For this reason man must be in liberty in pursuit of happiness. This declaration gave power to people to make and abolish laws under the condition that laws made them happy and secure. This is an indication and a confirmation that happiness is an end to itself and therefore it forms the basis of our laws in the society. However, Eric Wilson the author of against happiness does not believe in happiness. In his argument, the mentality that we must always be happy is wrong (Eric G Wilson). He wonders why we think that if we are not happy something is wrong with us and therefore we should make ends meet to make ourselves happy. The author argues that man cannot be happy always and therefore if we were to be happy always we would be like robot. Despite this ironic presentation, Aristotle’s arguments are still right especially by the fact of rational reasoning and living within ones means leads to happiness. According to Kathleen Townsend the author of Atlantic Magazine, people who are taking part in community and government activities are happier. According to this article, the Greeks excellence depended on communal living. They believed that to be happy one must live in unity with the others. This is indeed true and for this reason the termed people who lived separately and privately as idiots. This is a Greek word which means private. The history of American political life revolves around happiness (Kathleen Townsend). American Revolution was based on Aristotle’s concept of happiness and that is why it was included in the declaration for independence. Conclusion Happiness means the supreme good according to Aristotle and Plato and most American philosophers and leaders. This paper has found out that to live in happiness is to ensure that we employ the basics of rational reasoning. Everybody is entitled to a happy life since the laws support liberty and happiness. For us to enjoy a good social life, we must learn to live according to our means and be contented with what we have. Works Cited Eric G Wilson. Against Happiness: In Praise of Melancholy. New York: Sarah Crichton Books; First Edition edition, 2009. Kathleen Townsend. The Pursuit of Happiness: What the Founders Meant—And Didnt. 20 June 2011. 2014 . Neel Burton, M.D. Aristotle on Happiness. 28 January 2013. . Warne, Christopher. Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics: Readers Guide. London: Continuum, 2011. Read More