Prof Washington Watson Only

Aristotle and metaphysical happiness 

For Aristotle, the most notable of the metaphysical philosophers, happiness is the highest desire and ambition of all human beings. In his opinion, the way to reach it is through  virtue . In other words, if one cultivates within oneself the highest virtues, he or she will reach happiness.

More than just a tangible state, Aristotle believed that it is more a lifestyle. The key characteristic of this way of life is to constantly exercise and extract the best of each individual.

It is also necessary to practice prudence of character and have a good “daimon,” meaning good fate or good luck in order to lead a full and truly happy life. For this reason, his thesis on happiness is known by the name “Eudaimonia” or “Eudaemonism.”

Aristotle provided the philosophical base on which the Christian church was built. Considering this, great similarities can be found between this great thinker’s ideas and the principles of Judeo-Christian religions.

Epicurus and hedonistic happiness 

Epicurus  was a Greek philosopher who contradicted metaphysical philosophers. In contrast to their beliefs, he did not believe that happiness came only from the spiritual world, but rather that it also had a great deal to do with more earthly dimensions.

In fact, Epicurus founded a school of thought called Epicureanism, and actually had his own school which he called “The Garden.” Many interesting ideas and conclusions come from Epicureanism.

He proposed the principle that  balance  and temperance were what created space for happiness. This idea is captured in one of his greatest maxims: “He who is not satisfied with a little, is satisfied with nothing.”

Epicurus thought that love had little to do with happiness, and that friendship, instead, was more important. He also insisted in the idea that one should not work for money to be able to buy goods, but rather for the love of the work.

Slavoj Zizek and happiness as a paradox 

This philosopher indicates that being truly happy is a matter of opinion, and not of truth. He considered satisfaction and contentment a product of capitalist values which implicitly promise eternal satisfaction through consumption.

However, dissatisfaction reigns within humans because in reality, they do not know what they want.