Lesson 5: On Happiness

Question 1

Happiness can be defined in two ways:

Answer 1

1. as a state of mind
2. evaluation of one’s experiences in life

Question 2

term used in the Ancient Greeks to refer to a person’s state of well-being or happiness

Answer 2

eudaimonia (good spirit)

Question 3

Plato equates happiness with living a _____ life, practicing virtues, fulfilling personal and political duties, and controlling one’s desire

Answer 3

moral

Question 4

AristotleFor him, ______ is the primary reason for human action

Answer 4

happiness

Question 5

• For Epicurus, happiness means a life of peace that is free from ___ and discomfort

Answer 5

fear

Question 6

For religious philosophers, what is their definition of happiness?

Answer 6

happiness as a union with God

Question 7

• proposes a view on happiness based on the greatest happiness principle

Answer 7

Utilitarianism

Question 8

this principle states that a person’s actions are considered moral or desirable when they produce the greatest happiness for other people

Answer 8

greatest happiness principle

Question 9

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

Answer 9

whole life satisfaction

Question 10

Richard Brandt traces a person’s happiness based on a total life pattern –

Answer 10

a person should not only be satisfied with the life he/she has lived, but must feel constant joy and enthusiasm in life

Question 11

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

Answer 11

False

have a positive evaluation of his/her condition

Question 12

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

Answer 12

True

Question 13

• reason why people seek material things
• this is percieved prestige, luxury and power that comes from buying commodities

Answer 13

sign value

Question 14

in this society, a “successful” and “happy” life is determined by one’s social standing, wealth and power

Answer 14

consumerist society

Question 15

3 elements of happiness as well-being:

Answer 15

1. contentment
2. welfare
3. dignity

Question 16

satisfaction with one’s life

Answer 16

contentment

Question 17

satisfaction of person’s wants and desires

Answer 17

welfare

Question 18

ability to control and define one’s own destiny

Answer 18

dignity

Question 19

psychologists definition of happiness is?

Answer 19

balance between a person’s emotions, moods, and feelings

Question 20

various statistics that help define happiness and the well-being

Answer 20

Gross National Happiness Index and Gross National Well-Being Index

Question 21

They recognized happiness as “fundamental human goal and universal aspiration”, and has been issuing a World Happiness Report since 2012

Answer 21

United Nations

Question 22

• 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

Answer 22

ethics

Question 23

Aristotle proposes that to acheive happiness, a person must plan his/her activities and aim for ______.

Answer 23

excellence

Question 24

True or False

Epicureans believe that happiness is possible if one enjoys the simple pleasures of life and commits to a life of virtue

Answer 24

True

Question 25

Jeremy Bentham believes that happiness is achieved through wise __________.

Answer 25

decision-making

Question 26

For Immanuel Kan, human actions should not be defined by happiness but rather _____

Answer 26

goodwill | fullfillment of duties towars

Question 27

A person promotes this virtue if he/she fulfills his/her duties toward others

Answer 27

goodwill

Question 28

Being able to deal with this emotion is another equally important aspect of living a happy life

Answer 28

unhappiness

Question 29

do not focus on abstract notions of happiness but rather focus on practical ways to achieve a happy and meaningful life

Answer 29

eastern philosophies

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Noble Eightfold Path

Question 31

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.

Answer 31

Right Faith

Question 32

One must be free from lust, cruelty, and ill intent

Answer 32

Right Thought

Question 33

One must abstain from lies, slander, and harsh abusive language. One must only speak the truth.

Answer 33

Right Speech

Question 34

One must not kill, steal, engage in immoral sexual behavior, and take intoxicating drugs and drinks.

Answer 34

Right Action

Question 35

One must choose the right livelihood and avoid occupations such as slave trading, arms dealing, and prostitution

Answer 35

Right Livelihood

Question 36

One must have the right enthusiasm and attitude to avoid misconduct and maintain harmonious relations with others

Answer 36

Right Effort

Question 37

One must be attentive to the world and the things in it

Answer 37

Right Mindfulness

Question 38

One must not have a distracted and cluttered mind

Answer 38

Right Concentration

Question 39

He is a phisolopher that regards a morally-upright individual as a man of ***Ren***

Answer 39

Confucius

Question 40

* 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

Answer 40

*Ren*