Since the appearance of the human race as a community on earth and bonding together socially as a force of emotions, attitudes, character values, and ethical behavior, happiness has been a focal point of interest and contention. The subject of human happiness has been an interesting topic that has been tried to unravel since the time of the Greek philosophers, hence Socratic thinkers. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle proved vital to understanding the hypothesis of human happiness.
Socrates, the renowned philosopher who founded most of the Western philosophy, believed that wisdom and virtue were the essential components of achieving the state of happiness. Being known for his statement, "The unlived life is not worth living," which is also known as the Socratic Paradox, Socrates believed that true happiness could only be found by leading a morally conscious life, which involves contemplation on ourselves. By engaging in self-reflection, we can gain a better understanding of how to achieve eudaimonia, which means "flourishing" or "well-being."
But what does it take to lead a truly happy life? According to him, the secret lies in cultivating virtues such as courage, temperance, wisdom, and justice, to help us align ourselves with the forces of the universe and achieve inner peace. Socrates believed that genuine happiness cannot be separated from moral excellence. So, if you want to live a more fulfilling life, consider taking Socrates' advice and focus on the development of virtues.
Plato's philosophy in his works "Republic" and "Phaedo" defined the nature of the soul and its direct relationship with happiness. He believed the soul could achieve true happiness only by obtaining knowledge and contemplating ultimate truths. In Plato's view, the soul's purpose is to gain wisdom, and only through philosophy can a person free themselves from ignorance and delusion.
A well-known student of Plato, named Aristotle, had his perception of happiness which he shared in his famous book, "Nicomachean Ethics" Unlike the views of the other philosophers, Aristotle believed that happiness was not just a state of mind, but an action of the soul that comes from living a morally correct life. He is well-known for saying that "happiness is the ultimate good and the goal that we strive for in everything we do."
Aristotle believed that eudaimonia was the most important goal that anyone should want to achieve in their life. He believed that people can achieve happiness by having virtuous behavior. His theory highlights that we should cultivate upstanding habits through practice and repetition. In Aristotle's perspective, true happiness can only be found by living a balanced life, where we think our actions thoroughly before acting on them without thought. That way we can reach our full potential and find joy in anything that surrounds us.
Overall, each one of these philosophers contributed to the world with special theories about what is the actual state of happiness and how one can achieve it. According to them true happiness is not a fleeting emotion, but a deep state of well-being based on our behavior and actions. To this day, Socrates`s, Plato`s, and Aristotle`s, insights give us a chance to study their works and acknowledge the fact that true happiness cannot be found in material things, but in the pursuit of truth, rightness and introspection.
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