Throughout this course, I have heard different opinions and ideas of
what “happiness” is. Aristotle views happiness as living a life full of virtues
which all lead up to a “final end” whereas Mills views happiness in terms of
pleasure. After hearing all these explanations of what happiness is according
to the great philosophers, I started thinking about what I view as happiness.
Learning about all the different definitions of happiness makes me realize that
defining happiness is not a clear-cut answer. Happiness to ME is the smell of
the grass after it rains, the sunset signifying the end of today but hope for
tomorrow, the love I feel from my family, friends, and two cats, the smell of
home cooked stuffed green peppers, and so many other things. Although what
others define as happiness is different, one thing I think we all can agree on.
Happiness is a sincere, serene feeling. Happiness is in the eyes of the
beholder.
"Happiness depends on ourselves". More than anyone else according to Aristotle. 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 exellence:if this is the case then happiness turns out to be an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.(N.Ethics.1098a13)
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