Happiness in political theory, ethics and education

Abstract

The topic of this paper, happiness, is something which affects daily life more significantly than anything else. It is at the basis of every action and yet it is often not even discussed directly. As history has evolved, the changes to what is accepted as knowledge has given rise to a movement and mutation of ideas. For some, this has made many ideas attractive out of a fear of not having anything else to believe in. Such beliefs are therefore adhered to as if they are some life saving plan. As we have passed through the different phases of humankind we see various changes. Modernity for example can be seen as a period which moved away from backward thinking in an attempt to make one's life better. What follows is an analysis of the different conceptions of happiness found in western philosophy from Socrates up to contemporary thinkers such as Bertrand Russell. The process of illustrating what happiness is will show the important role happiness plays in philosophical thought and the vital role philosophy plays in this discourse of happiness. A plurality of definitions of happiness will be mapped out in order to show how ideas relating to the achievement of happiness have changed throughout history. However, the theories chosen tend to be of those which are not mystical or religious. I have chosen to stay away from theological philosophy because I believe that one does not require God in order to be happy, a sentiment which flourished in the enlightenment period. It is hoped that through reviewing a diverse range of theories about this topic, one will be able to show what happiness may be understood as coming from this perspective.