Happiness

Posted for Dina Assad, Section 6

Happiness is being described in different ways depending on who defines it. People can explain that happiness comes from money and wealth, others might describe happiness is being with family, and many other definitions can be used to describe happiness. Being happy is a goal that everyone tries to reach in life. It is known that happy people live longer and those who are mostly upset live in pain.

Aristotle is one of the philosophers that is known to talk a lot about happiness and the ultimate goal of human existence. “One of Aristotle’s most influential works is the Nicomachean Ethics, where he presents a theory of happiness that is still relevant today.” What is the main goal in life? What do we strive for? People work hard for good reputation and wealth, but no one works hard for happiness. Aristotle is one of the people that connected happiness in everything that he worked for. For Aristotle, however, happiness is a final end or goal that encompasses the totality of one’s life. Happiness is not something that cannot be gained in a second or lost very quickly, it is something that we have to strive for and earn. As Aristotle says, “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” (Nicomachean Ethics, 1098a18).

The way I see happiness is by seeing my parents happy and through success. Anything else in life would not bring happiness to me. One of my favorite quotes from Aristotle is “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” We chose to either be happy or upset the whole time. Those that chose to be happy are the ones that tend to seek for happiness all the time and avoid anything that would ruin their happiness. I always try to find happiness in life and try to always stay happy!