Home Blog Store Team About Contact Login

Happiness & SWB  2 Jul 2022  20

The Philosophy of Happiness in Life

(+ Aristotle’s View)
21 Jan 2019 by Heather Craig, BPsySc 
Scientifically reviewed by Maike Neuhaus Ph.D. 

Happiness. It is a term we throw about

without much thought these days… my
guess is that, actually, you think you know
what is meant by saying someone is happy.

We all hope to be happy and live a ‘good

life’– whatever that means! Do you wonder, what does it actually mean?

The basic role of ‘philosophy’ is to ask questions, and think about the nature of
human thought and the universe. Thus, a discussion of the philosophy of
happiness in life can be seen as an examination of the very nature of happiness
and what it means for the universe.

Philosophers have been inquiring about happiness since ancient times. Aristotle,
when he asked ‘what is the ultimate purpose of human existence’ alluded to the
fact that purpose was what he argued to be ‘happiness’. He termed this
eudaimonia – “activity expressing virtue”. This will all be explained shortly.

The purpose of this article is to explore the philosophy of happiness in life,

including taking a closer look at Aristotle’s philosophy and answering some of
those “big” questions about happiness and living a ‘good life’. In this article, you
will also find some practical tips that hopefully you can put in place in your own
life. Enjoy!

Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our 3 Positive
Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises will explore
fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values and self-
compassion and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients,
students or employees.

This Article Contains:

 A Look at the Philosophy of Happiness

 Aristotle on Happiness

 What is Real Happiness?

 The Value and Importance of Having True Happiness in Life

 The Biggest Causes that Bring True Happiness in Life

 15 Ways to Create Happy Moments in Life

 Five Reasons to be Happy From a Philosophical Perspective

 Finding Happiness in Family Life

 A Look at Happiness and Productivity

 How does Loneliness Affect Life Satisfaction?

 6 Recommended Books

 A Take-Home Message

 References

A Look at the Philosophy of Happiness

Happiness. It is a term that is taken for granted in this modern age. However,
since the dawn of time, philosophers have been pursuing the inquiry of
happiness… after all, the purpose of life is not just to live, but to live ‘well’.

Philosophers ask some key questions about happiness: can people be happy? If so,
do they want to? If people have both a desire to be happy and the ability to be
happy, does this mean that they should, therefore, pursue happiness for
themselves and others? If they can, they want to, and they ought to be happy, but
how do they achieve this goal?

To explore the philosophy of happiness in life, first, the history of happiness will
be examined.

Democritus, a philosopher from Ancient Greece, was the first philosopher in the
western world to examine the nature of happiness (Kesebir & Diener, 2008). He
put forth a suggestion that, unlike it was previously thought, happiness does not
result from ‘favorable fate’ (i.e. good luck) or other external circumstances
(Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Democritus contended that happiness was a ‘case of mind’, introducing a

subjectivist view as to what happiness is (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

A more objective view of happiness was introduced by Socrates, and his student,
Plato.

They put forth the notion that happiness was “secure enjoyment of what is good
and beautiful” (Plato, 1999, p. 80). Plato developed the idea that the best life is one
whereby a person is either pursuing pleasure of exercising intellectual virtues…
an argument which, the next key figure in the development of the philosophy of
happiness – Aristotle – disagreed with (Waterman, 1993).

The philosophy of Aristotle will be explored in depth in the next section of this
article.

Hellenic history (i.e. ancient Greek times) was largely dominated by the prominent
theory of hedonism (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Hedonism is, to put it simply, the pursuit of pleasure as the only intrinsic good
(Waterman, 1993). This was the Cyrenaic view of happiness. It was thought that a
good life was denoted by seeking pleasure, and satisfying physical,
intellectual/social needs (Kashdan, Biswas-Diener & King, 2008).

Kraut (1979, p. 178) describes hedonic happiness as “the belief that one is getting
the important things one wants, as well as certain pleasant affects that normally
go along with this belief” (Waterman, 1993).

In ancient times, it was also thought that it is not possible to live a good life
without living in accordance with reason and morality (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).
Epicurus, whose work was dominated by hedonism, contended that in fact, virtue
(living according to values) and pleasure are interdependent (Kesebir & Diener,
2008).

In the middle ages, Christian philosophers said that whilst virtue is essential for a
good life, that virtue alone is not sufficient for happiness (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

According to the Christian philosophers, happiness is in the hands of God. Even

though the Christians believed that earthly happiness was imperfect, they
embraced the idea that Heaven promised eternal happiness (Kesebir & Diener,
2008).

A more secular explanation of happiness was introduced in the Age of

Enlightenment.

At this time, in the western world pleasure was regarded as the path to, or even
the same thing as, happiness (Kesebir & Diener, 2008). From the early nineteenth
century, happiness was seen as a value which is derived from maximum pleasure.

Utilitarians, such as the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, suggested the

following: “maximum surplus of pleasure over pain as the cardinal goal of human
striving” (Kesebir & Diener, 2008). Utilitarians believe that morals and legislation
should be based on whatever will achieve the greatest good for the greatest
number of people.

In the modern era, happiness is something we take for granted. It is assumed that
humans are entitled to pursue and attain happiness (Kesebir & Diener, 2008). This
is evidenced by the fact that in the US declaration of independence, the pursuit of
happiness is protected as a fundamental human right! (Conkle, 2008).

Go into any book store and large sections are dedicated to the wide range of ‘self-
help’ books all promoting happiness.

What is This Thing Called Happiness?

It is incredibly challenging to define happiness. Modern psychology describes

happiness as subjective wellbeing, or “people’s evaluations of their lives and
encompasses both cognitive judgments of satisfaction and affective appraisals of
moods and emotions” (Kesebir & Diener, 2008, p. 118).

The key components of subjective wellbeing are:

1. Life satisfaction
2. Satisfaction with important aspects of one’s life (for example work,
relationships, health)
3. The presence of positive affect
4. Low levels of negative affect

These four components have featured in philosophical material on happiness

since ancient times.

Subjective life satisfaction is a crucial aspect of happiness, which is consistent

with the work of contemporary philosopher Wayne Sumner, who described
happiness as ‘a response by a subject to her life conditions as she sees them’
(1999, p. 156).

Thus, if happiness is ‘a thing’ how is it measured?

Some contemporary philosophers and psychologists question self-report as an

appropriate measure of happiness. However, many studies have found that self-
report measures of ‘happiness’ (subjective wellbeing) are valid and reliable
(Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Two other accounts of happiness in modern psychology are firstly, the concept of
psychological wellbeing (Ryff & Singer, 1996) and secondly, self-determination
theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000).

Both of these theories are more consistent with the eudaemonist theories of
‘flourishing’ (including Aristotle’s ideas) because they describe the phenomenon of
needs (such as autonomy, self-acceptance, and mastery) being met (Kesebir &
Diener, 2008).

Eudaimonia will be explained in detail in the next section of the article (keep
reading!) but for now, it suffices to say that eudaemonist theories of happiness
define ‘happiness’ (eudaimonia) as a state in which an individual strives for the
highest human good.

These days, most empirical psychological research puts forward the theory of
subjective wellbeing rather than happiness as defined in a eudaimonic sense
(Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Although the terms eudaimonia and subjectivewellbeing are not necessarily

interchangeable, Kesebir and Diener (2008) argue that subjective wellbeing can be
used to describe wellbeing, even if it may not be an absolutely perfect definition!

Can People be Happy?

In order to adequately address this question, it is necessary to differentiate

between ‘ideal’ happiness and ‘actual’ happiness.

‘Ideal’ happiness implies a way of being that is complete, lasting and altogether
perfect… probably outside of anyone’s reach! (Kesebir & Diener, 2008). However,
despite this, people can actually experience mostly positive emotions and report
overall satisfaction with their lives and therefore be deemed ‘happy’.

In fact, most people are happy. In a study conducted by the Pew Research Center
in the US (2006), 84% of Americans see themselves as either “very happy” or
“pretty happy” (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Happiness also has an adaptive function. How is happiness adaptive? Well,

positivity and wellbeing are also associated with people being confident enough
to explore their environments and approach new goals, which increases the
likelihood of them collecting resources.

The fact that most people report being happy, and happiness having an adaptive
function, leads Kesebir and Diener (2008) to conclude that yes people can, in fact,
be happy.

Do People Want to be Happy?

The overwhelming answer is yes! Research has shown that being happy is
desirable. Whilst being happy is certainly not the only goal in life, nonetheless, it
is necessary for a good life (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

A study by King and Napa (1998) showed that Americans view happiness as more
relevant to the judgment of what constitutes a good life, rather than either wealth
or ‘moral goodness’.

Should People be Happy?

Another way of putting this, is happiness justifiable? Happiness is not just the
result of positive outcomes, such as better health, improved work performance,
more ethical behavior, and better social relationships (Kesebir & Diener, 2008). It
actually precedes and causes these outcomes!

Happiness

Happiness leads to better health. For example, research undertaken by Danner,

Snowdon & Friesen in 2001 examined the content of handwritten autobiographies
of Catholic sisters. They found that expression in the writing that was
characterized by positive affect predicted longevity 60 years later!

Achievement

Happiness is derived not from pursuing pleasure, but by working towards goals
which are reflected in one’s values (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Happiness can be predicted not merely by pleasure but by having a sense of

meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. Happiness is also associated with better
performance in professional life/work.

Social relationships and prosocial behavior

Happiness brings out the best in people… people who are happier are more social,
cooperative and ethical (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Happy individuals have also been shown to evaluate others more positively, show
greater interest in interacting with others socially, and even be more likely to
engage in self-disclosure (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Happy individuals are also more likely to behave ethically (for example, choosing
not to buy something because it is known to be stolen) (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

How to be happy?

The conditions and sources of happiness will be explored later on, so do keep
reading… briefly in the meantime, happiness is caused by wealth, friends and
social relationships, religion, and personality. These factors predict happiness.

This section has provided a comprehensive summary of the philosophy of

happiness. Following on from a brief historical overview, the possibility,
desirability, and justifiability of happiness will be explored. Now, onto Aristotle…

Aristotle on Happiness
Chances are, you have heard of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. Are you
aware that it was Aristotle who introduced the ‘science of happiness’? (Pursuit of
Happiness, 2018).

Founder of Lyceum, the first scientific institute in Athens, Aristotle delivered a

series of lectures termed Nicomachean Ethics to present his theory of happiness
(Pursuit of Happiness, 2018).

Aristotle asked, “what is the ultimate purpose of human existence?”. He thought

that a worthwhile goal should be to pursue “that which is always desirable in itself
and never for the sake of something else” (Pursuit of Happiness, 2018).

However, Aristotle disagreed with the Cyrenaic view that the only intrinsic good is
pleasure (Waterman, 1993).

In developing his theory of ‘happiness’, Aristotle drew upon his knowledge about
nature. He contended that what separates man from animal is rational capacity –
arguing that a human’s unique function is to reason. He went on to say that
pleasure alone cannot result in happiness because animals are driven by the
pursuit of pleasure and according to Aristotle man has greater capacities than
animals (Pursuit of Happiness, 2018).

Instead, he put forward the term ‘eudaimonia’.

To explain simply, eudaimonia is defined as ‘activity expressing virtue’ or what

Aristotle conceived as happiness. Aristotle’s theory of happiness was as follows:

‘the function of man is to live a certain kind of life, and this activity
implies a rational principle, and the function of a good man is the good
 and noble performance of these, and if any action is well performed it is
performed in accord with the appropriate excellence: if this is the case,
then happiness turns out to be an activity of the soul in accordance
with virtue’

(Aristotle, 2004).

A key component of Aristotle’s theory of happiness is the factor of virtue. He

contended that in aiming for happiness, the most important factor is to have
‘complete virtue’ or – in other words – good moral character (Pursuit of
Happiness, 2008).

Aristotle identified friendship as being one of the most important virtues in

achieving the goal of eudaimonia (Pursuit of Happiness, 2008). In fact, he valued
friendship very highly, and described a ‘virtuous’ friendship as the most enjoyable,
combining both pleasure and virtue.

Aristotle went on to put forward his belief that happiness involves, through the
course of an entire life, choosing the ‘greater good’ not necessarily that which
brings immediate, short term pleasure (Pursuit of Happiness, 2008).

Thus, according to Aristotle, happiness can only be achieved at the life-end: it is a

goal, not a temporary state of being (Pursuit of Happiness, 2008). Aristotle
believed that happiness is not short-lived:

 ‘for as it is not one swallow or one fine day that makes a spring, so it is
not one day or a short time that makes a man blessed and happy’

(Aristotle, 2004).

Happiness (eudaimonia), to Aristotle, meant attaining the ‘daimon’ or perfect self

(Waterman, 1990). Reaching the ‘ultimate perfection of our natures’, as Aristotle
meant by happiness, includes rational reflection (Pursuit of Happiness, 2008).

He argued that education was the embodiment of character refinement (Pursuit

of Happiness, 2008). Striving for the daimon (perfect self) gives life meaning and
direction (Waterman, 1990). Having a meaningful, purposeful life is valuable.

Efforts that the individual puts in to strive for the daimon are termed ‘personally
expressive’ (Waterman, 1990).

Personal expressiveness involves intense involvement in an activity, a sense of

fulfillment when engaged in an activity, and having a sense of acting in
accordance with one’s purpose (Waterman, 1990). It refers to putting in effort,
feeling challenged and competent, having clear goals and concentrating
(Waterman, 1993).

According to Aristotle, eudaimonia and hedonic enjoyment are separate and

distinguishable (Waterman, 1993). However, in a study of university students,
personal expressiveness (which is, after all a component of eudaimonia) was found
to be positively correlated with hedonic enjoyment (Waterman, 1993).

Telfer (1980), on the other hand, claimed that eudaimonia is a sufficient but not a
necessary condition for achieving hedonic enjoyment (Waterman, 1993). How are
eudaimonia and hedonic enjoyment different?

Well, personal expressiveness (from striving for eudaimonia) is associated with

successfully achieving self-realization, while hedonic enjoyment does not
(Waterman, 1993).

Thus, Aristotle identified the best possible life goal and the achievement of the
highest level of meeting one’s needs, self-realization many, many years before
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs!

Results from Waterman’s 1993 study provide empirical support for the association
between ‘personal expressiveness’ and what was described by Csikszentimikalyi
(1975) as “flow” (Waterman, 1993).

Flow, conceptualized as a cognitive-affective state, is an experience whereby the

challenge a task presents to a person is aligned with the skills that individual has
to deal with such challenges.

Understanding that flow is a distinctive cognitive-affective state combines

hedonic enjoyment and personal expressiveness (Waterman, 1993).

Aristotle’s work Nicomachean Ethics contributed a great deal to the

understanding of what happiness is. To summarise from Pursuit of Happiness
(2018), according to Aristotle, the purpose and ultimate goal in life is to achieve
eudaimonia (‘happiness’). He believed that eudaimonia was not simply virtue, nor
pleasure, but rather it was the exercise of virtue.

According to Aristotle, eudaimonia is a lifelong goal and depends on rational

reflection. To achieve a balance between excess and deficiency (‘temperance’) one
displays virtues – for example, generosity, justice, friendship, and citizenship.
Eudaimonia requires intellectual contemplation, in order to meet our rational
capacities.

To answer Aristotle’s question of “what is the ultimate purpose of human

existence” is not a simple task, but perhaps the best answer is that the ultimate
goal for human beings is to strive for ‘eudaimonia’ (happiness).

What is Real Happiness?

What does ‘true’ happiness look like? Is it landing the dream job? Having a child?
Graduating from university? Whilst happiness is certainly associated with these
‘external’ factors, true happiness is quite different.

To be truly happy, a person’s sense of contentment with their life needs to come
from within (Puff, 2018). In other words, real happiness is internal.

There are a few features that characterize ‘true’ (or real) happiness. The first is
acceptance. A truly happy individual accepts reality for what it is, and what’s
more, they actually come to love ‘what is’ (Puff, 2018).

This acceptance allows a person to feel content. As well as accepting the true
state of affairs, real happiness involves accepting the fact that change is inevitable
(Puff, 2018). Being willing to accept change as part of life means that truly happy
people are in a position to be adaptive.

A state of real happiness is also reflected by a person having an understanding of

the transience of life (Puff, 2018). This is important because understanding that in
life, both good and ‘bad’ are only short-lived means that truly happy individuals
have an understanding that ‘this too shall pass’.

Finally, another aspect of real happiness is an appreciation of the people in an

individual’s life. (Puff, 2018). Strong relationships characterize people who are
truly ‘flourishing’.

The Value and Importance of Having True

Happiness in Life
Most people would say that, if they could,
they would like to be happy. As well as
being desirable, happiness is both
important and valuable.

Happy people have better social and work

relationships (Conkle, 2008).

In terms of career, happy individuals are more likely to complete college, secure
employment, receive positive work evaluations from their superiors, earn higher
incomes, and are less likely to lose their job – and, in case of being laid off, people
who are happy are re-employed more quickly (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Positive emotions also precede and promote career success (Lyubomirsky, 2018).
Happy workers are less likely to burn out, be absent from work and quit their job
(Lyubomirsky, 2018). Further on in this article, the relationship between happiness
and productivity will be explored more thoroughly.

It has also been found that people who are happy contribute more to society
(Conkle, 2008). There is also an association between happiness and cooperation –
those who are happy are more cooperative (Kesebir & Diener, 2008). They are also
more likely to display ethical behavior (Kesebir & Diener, 2008).

Perhaps the most important reason to have true happiness in life is that it is
linked to longevity. True happiness is a significant predictor of a longer, healthier
life (Conkle, 2008).

It is not only the effects of happiness that benefit individuals. Whole countries can
flourish too – according to research, nations that are rated as happier also score
more highly on generalized trust, volunteerism and democratic attitudes (Kesebir
& Diener, 2008). 