The Approach on Happiness by Western and Eastern Philosophers

Abstract

Background: By nature, human beings desire happiness and try to avoid suffering. They search for answers to the origin, goal, and method to attain true happiness. The answers that explain it best come from that of Eastern and Western philosophers who have overflow of doubts and systematic approaches to finding such answers. Therefore, we should conduct studies and synthesize the body of knowledge related to happiness and apply them in our daily lives to ultimately bring us true and long-lasting happiness.

Objective: Synthetic and interpretation as well as explanation of concept, philosophy and principles related to origins, ultimate goals and methods of attaining happiness of Eastern and Western philosophers.

Result: The research shows that the origin of happiness according to the Eastern and Western philosophers can be divided into 2 concepts. The first concept is God as the origin of happiness; the ultimate goal is that believers of God shall be accepted into heaven, a place of eternal happiness; the method to attain happiness is to adhere to God. The second concept is happiness originated from nature. The ultimate goal is to be aware of the principles of nature; the method to attain happiness is through applying scientific knowledge and technology as tools to bring happiness to mankind. Apart from being aware of nature, one must also be aware of the nature of human beings that is filled with defilements thus necessary for eradication in order to attain true and long-lasting happiness.

Discussion and Conclusions: Research has shown that apart from the differences in the origin of happiness from the 2 concepts, The first concept is God and another is nature. There are similarities found in the methods of attaining happiness. For both concepts, application of knowledge is necessary to examine existence as how it really is, and both concepts touched upon the eradication of defilements and the search for knowledge. Such necessities are beneficial for humans to live life correctly, especially life within the moral and ethical scope which would bring about peace and long-lasting happiness of human society.