Chapter 12: Happiness Pearson Longman © 2009 “This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.” THE ART OF BEING HUMAN 9 TH EDITION

HEDONISM: HAPPINESS AS PLEASURE Hedonism – the belief that happiness consists of the sum of the pleasures we experience.  Artistippus ( B.C.E.)  Laertius (c. 2th century C.E.) Pearson Longman © 2009

HEDONISM: HAPPINESS AS PLEASURE Hedonist Assumptions:  Everyone deserves as much pleasure as possible.  Pleasure is automatically good.  No amount of pleasure is ever too much.  The absence of pleasure is a misfortune for which compensation is due. Pearson Longman © 2009

HEDONISM: HAPPINESS AS PLEASURE Hedonism Reconsidered: Three critical questions:  Is this philosophy based on an accurate view of human nature?  Is it accurate to assume that people are pleasure-loving at all times and in all places?  Is it self-defeating to assume that happiness is the sum total of all possible pleasures? Pearson Longman © 2009

EPICUREANISM: HAPPINESS IS AVOIDING PAIN Epicureanism – the belief that happiness is freedom from pain.  Epicurus – (c B.C.E.) Pearson Longman © 2009

EPICUREANISM: HAPPINESS IS AVOIDING PAIN Epicurean Assumptions:  Noting lasts forever and we must accept this fact.  No one can sustain pleasure over prolonged periods of time.  Therefore, we must exert control and enjoy pleasure in moderation. Pearson Longman © 2009

EPICUREANISM: HAPPINESS IS AVOIDING PAIN Epicureanism Reconsidered: Two critical objections:  It has been accused of being as firmly rooted in self-interest as hedonism.  It has been accused of creating people who are more interested in their own peace of mind than in social causes. Pearson Longman © 2009

STOICISM: HAPPINESS AS A STRATEGY FOR SURVIVAL Stoicism – the philosophy of curbing desire to cope with the inevitability of pain.  Zeno ( B.C.E. ) Pearson Longman © 2009

STOICISM: HAPPINESS AS A STRATEGY FOR SURVIVAL Stoic Assumptions:  Pain is intrinsic to living, so we must learn to cope with it.  To find the roots of happiness, we must look inward.  Nothing is under control except the way we think about things.  Tranquility is worth any price. Pearson Longman © 2009

STOICISM: HAPPINESS AS A STRATEGY FOR SURVIVAL Stoicism Reconsidered: Four objections:  It is too convenient.  It is believed that its advocates secretly want everyone to be as miserable as they are.  It is believed that what passes for reason by its advocates is really rationalization.  It is believed that it inspires passivity because of the expectation of failure. Pearson Longman © 2009

ARISTOTELIANISM: HAPPINESS AS THE QUALITY OF A WHOLE LIFETIME Aristotelian Happiness – the belief that pleasure is a limited goal but happiness is a complete goal.  Aristotle ( B.C.E.) Pearson Longman © 2009

ARISTOTELIANISM: HAPPINESS AS THE QUALITY OF A WHOLE LIFETIME What is the nature of the highest good, the one that is valued in itself and when reached, leaves nothing else to be desired? This is the state of complete happiness and must be the goal and purpose of life. Pearson Longman © 2009

ARISTOTELIANISM: HAPPINESS AS THE QUALITY OF A WHOLE LIFETIME Providing Happiness: A Government Responsibility?  The government and social institutions only exist to provide happiness for the people.  There must be law and order in a well- regulated state to insure happiness.  The government must be a model of rationality. Pearson Longman © 2009

ARISTOTELIANISM: HAPPINESS AS THE QUALITY OF A WHOLE LIFETIME Aristotle Reconsidered:  There will always be limitations on happiness.  Aristotle’s theory assumes an open society with the citizens’ welfare as the major concern of government.  Can anyone rely solely on government to provide happiness? Pearson Longman © 2009

THE HUMANITIES AND UNHAPPINESS Unhappiness as subject of great works:  Hugo’s Les Miserables  Dickens’ A Christmas Carol  Hopper’s Nighthawks  Aswany’s The Yacoubian Building Pearson Longman © 2009

MODELS OF THE HAPPY LIFE Examples of overcoming barriers:  Viktor Frankl  Anne Frank  Martin Luther King, Jr. Pearson Longman © 2009

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY OF HAPPINESS Gandhi ( )  moksha – Hindu highest state of bliss in which one is free from desire.  Mahatma - “one who is wise and good.”  brahman – the great soul of which each person’s soul is a part because the divine spirit dwells in each person. Pearson Longman © 2009

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY OF HAPPINESS Buddhist Paths to Happiness:  Hinayana - Sanskrit for “little ferryboat” also called the “narrow path,” the personal attainment of serenity through meditation.  Mahayana – Sanskrit for “big ferryboat,” the wider path to happiness, attainable by helping others find the way.  Dalai Lama Pearson Longman © 2009