Eat and drink for tomorrow we will die according to the Hidonist or Epicureans. For them human life existed because of the search for pleasure because at the end, everyone will encounter death. Various individuals of many problems and issues causing them to struggle more just get a rope, drink poison, jump on the top of a high building and do many forms of suicide for they cannot anymore bear the pains of their life. Most of the times, life is defined through pain and pleasure. Pain is characterized by suffering and hurtful experiences; in the other hand, pleasure when one is satisfied through the sweetness which offerred by material things such as accomplishments, achievements and all kinds of gain which may produce ease not leading to burden. However, how can we know happiness at least in a simple philosophical sense?
For Aristotle, Happiness is a perfect realization of the intellect of the good life which he called "Eudaimonia" in Greek. It is the life when a human person becomes a sage who knows himself/ herself and his/ her actions. The good life is a life wherein one is able to do what is ought and necessary according to the right contemplation of the conscience. Say for intance, a person is physically hungry and the right thing to do is to work in order to at least survive without thinking of stealing or any crime just to fill the stomach. However, happiness is not only about filling the stomach with food for man does not live by bread alone. Example, when a person is not satisfied with the salary enough for everyday's need, he/ she automatically finds another work that may sustain a good amount of pay not only for daily necessities but also to acquire more wealth for prosperous living. For most, happiness means having a mansion, a car, delicious food, and all means to experience ease to eradicate suffering. I have known that Siddhartha Gautama was able to smile aside the heat of the day in contemplation for the best way to live. The Catholic Martyrs were able to offer themselves joyfully as foods for the beasts and toys for the gladiators during the Christian persecution. During the World War II, it is obvious in the videos that the Jewish people fell in line to enter the concentration camp without any hesitation. Gandhi would say that happiness is peace when everyone unites in charity and service. Happiness is not all about satisfaction and pleasure. When one becomes free from pain, there is no guarantee that one attains happiness. Say for instance, most problematic persons would engage to drugs and liquor just to scape from the issues they are facing. However, apparently after the effect of drugs and liquor, problems and issues returned and another dusage be added just to feel comfortable till one becomes addicted and dependent to such means. Can food, liquor, drugs, success, achievements and other material gains be guarantees for happiness? Yes, necessities and achievements are also important in order to survive but they cannot guarantee for happiness. Say for instance, I have work and acquired some things but my sister and I quarreled just for a charger. Philosphically, happiness is the end of everyone. This end is not all about death but it means "that which every action tends" according to some philosphers. This end is the purpose and reason why man has life. Imagine if you are a parent, what do you usually feel when you see your son or daughter walking in the stage as a sign of graduation in college after the struggles you've been. Your toil of working hard has not been wasted. After the times of war, you and the other forgive each so that you reagain your relationship. There is always joy when things happened are absolutely good. Joy is an integral manifestation of happiness. It is a gift because we have this tendency and it is a fruit at the same time as a product of our sweat. It is not the joy when we enjoy or laugh to the lost of someone we dislike. Happiness is the possession of something good. Good is not found in the apparent things that only last shortly for intance the effect of liquor and drugs. Happiness is the acquisition of things that does not depend on something material but things that are right in accordance to the conscience one is able to adapt from reflection and meditation. Happiness is joy within wherein we acquire freedom that is not to do what we want but to act the right thing which may give peace and unity to everyone.
Happiness is not all about avoidance of pain where we get satisfaction as we attain pleasure. Happiness is the life we share to somebody where one is not alone in joy but everyone. For Mother Theresa of Calcutta, There is happiness when you see your fellow in his/ her good condition under the love, care, and guidance of yours. As a possession of absolute goodness, happiness leads us to the very reason why we existed in the universe despite the cruel situations we have been. Happy people like those novel price awardees such as Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, and others for peace advocacy would give us the example of the absolute good which is love, the source of life and unity for all, that is why when we acquire true peace not only in ourselves but also to others, there is happiness.
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