Lesson 5: On Happiness Flashcards
Happiness can be defined in two ways:
- as a state of mind
- evaluation of one’s experiences in life
term used in the Ancient Greeks to refer to a person’s state of well-being or happiness
eudaimonia (good spirit)
Plato equates happiness with living a _____ life, practicing virtues, fulfilling personal and political duties, and controlling one’s desire
moral
AristotleFor him, ______ is the primary reason for human action
happiness
- For Epicurus, happiness means a life of peace that is free from ___ and discomfort
fear
For religious philosophers, what is their definition of happiness?
happiness as a union with God
- proposes a view on happiness based on the greatest happiness principle
Utilitarianism
this principle states that a person’s actions are considered moral or desirable when they produce the greatest happiness for other people
greatest happiness principle
contemporary philosophers approach happiness in terms of where a person is able to evaluate his/her life experiences and determine his or her level of satisfaction with how he/she has lived
whole life satisfaction
Richard Brandt traces a person’s happiness based on a total life pattern –
a person should not only be satisfied with the life he/she has lived, but must feel constant joy and enthusiasm in life
True or False
Wayne Sumner’s cognitive perspective that one must be able to look back at past experiences and have a negative evaluation of his/her condition
False
have a positive evaluation of his/her condition
True or False
Wayne Sumner’s emotional perspective on happiness is brought by a sense of well-being in having a lived a life that is enriching and rewarding
True
- reason why people seek material things
- this is percieved prestige, luxury and power that comes from buying commodities
sign value
in this society, a “successful” and “happy” life is determined by one’s social standing, wealth and power
consumerist society
3 elements of happiness as well-being:
- contentment
- welfare
- dignity
satisfaction with one’s life
contentment
satisfaction of person’s wants and desires
welfare
ability to control and define one’s own destiny
dignity
psychologists definition of happiness is?
balance between a person’s emotions, moods, and feelings
various statistics that help define happiness and the well-being
Gross National Happiness Index and Gross National Well-Being Index
They recognized happiness as “fundamental human goal and universal aspiration”, and has been issuing a World Happiness Report since 2012
United Nations
- plays a significant role in discussing hapiness and the means to achieve it.
- morality and appropriateness of human actions often revolve around the question of personal satisfaction and welfare
ethics
Aristotle proposes that to acheive happiness, a person must plan his/her activities and aim for ______.
excellence
True or False
Epicureans believe that happiness is possible if one enjoys the simple pleasures of life and commits to a life of virtue
True
Jeremy Bentham believes that happiness is achieved through wise __________.
decision-making
For Immanuel Kan, human actions should not be defined by happiness but rather _____
goodwill
fullfillment of duties towars
A person promotes this virtue if he/she fulfills his/her duties toward others
goodwill
Being able to deal with this emotion is another equally important aspect of living a happy life
unhappiness
do not focus on abstract notions of happiness but rather focus on practical ways to achieve a happy and meaningful life
eastern philosophies
a series of teachings in Buddhism that identify the things one must abstaint from and the things that one must practice in order to attain a good life
Noble Eightfold Path
One must understand that life comes from suffering. This suffering, however, has a cause. There is also an end to suffering and a way or means to end it.
Right Faith
One must be free from lust, cruelty, and ill intent
Right Thought
One must abstain from lies, slander, and harsh abusive language. One must only speak the truth.
Right Speech
One must not kill, steal, engage in immoral sexual behavior, and take intoxicating drugs and drinks.
Right Action
One must choose the right livelihood and avoid occupations such as slave trading, arms dealing, and prostitution
Right Livelihood
One must have the right enthusiasm and attitude to avoid misconduct and maintain harmonious relations with others
Right Effort
One must be attentive to the world and the things in it
Right Mindfulness
One must not have a distracted and cluttered mind
Right Concentration
He is a phisolopher that regards a morally-upright individual as a man of Ren
Confucius
- refers to an awareness of the dignity and the value of other persons and concern for their well-being
- used as a guide in establishing good relations with others
Ren
