Philosophical Thoughts on Happiness

In the history of philosophical thinking, there are three popular names which would redound in the ancient moral thinking about happiness. These names are Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Their philosophical moral thinking have influence mankind in the propensity to conceive the constitution of human happiness.

          Socrates in one of his philosophical discourses once said, "that the unexamined life is not worth living.' This examination of one's life is the moral imperative to be happy. In this examination of oneself, one must be conscious of what is good so that, he may act rightly and morally. Thus, it follows that he who does not know what is right will never be able to act rightly, and will continue to act wickedly out of the ignorance of man to know what is good. Therefore happiness from the Socratic mode of philosophical thinking, happiness lies in the knowing and in the awareness of what is good. For he who knows what is right will always act according to the right thing he knows. This good is a prerequisite to human happiness. No one can be happy unless he learns the good life.

         Plato, on the one hand, disagreed with his teacher Socrates on the idea of Happiness. According to him, Good is above anything else, and even above 'god'. He teaches that man to be happy must acknowledge all things that are good. It is not in the knowing of good, but simply it is inherent and inborn in the hearts of men. Man must only acknowledge it, and listen to the dictate of his conscience, which would lead him to the acknowledgement of good. Failure to acknowledge the dictate of conscience will lead to human suffering and pain. Thus, man cannot be happy unless he acknowledge the good inherent upon his nature and existential being.

       Aristotle, on the one hand, disagree with his teacher Plato on the idea of Happiness. According to Aristotle, Good life is the life of moderation. Good life is said to be constituted in not having too much and not having too less in life. Having to much will cause discomfort and pain, and having too less will cause privation and suffering. Thus according to him, to be happy one must be in a state of a balance life.