Introduction
The highest level of personal satisfaction is happiness. Some people believe happiness is entirely subjective (CrashCourse, 2017). I believe that happiness is not entirely subjective because many think that having a family, money, and love are the three main components of a happy life. Happiness is a constant concept, whereas the characteristics mentioned above are subject to change. This distinguishes my understanding of happiness from the general interpretation. Happiness is an absolute concept and, ultimately, a balance since this is the only way people will feel they are living a good life.
Elements of Happiness and a Good Life
Each element contributes to a good life, but my definition of happiness is the balance of all these components. True happiness is about continually pursuing harmony and fulfillment, rather than focusing on a specific outcome. The theory of virtue, according to Aristotle, is the way to happiness (Sison et al., 2019). His teachings advocate cultivating virtues such as justice, wisdom, and friendliness as pathways to happiness. Happiness stems from having harmonious relationships with oneself and others (Mueller, 2020). Excess is one of these extremes, and deficiency is the other.
Aristotle’s theory of virtue is opposed by utilitarianism, which focuses on maximizing happiness for the greatest number of people. In contrast to virtue ethics, utilitarianism measures the effects of choices on one’s overall well-being (Narens & Skyrms, 2020). Thus, according to Aristotle, virtue is a balance between extremes and necessitates a reasonable and moderate approach in its manifestation.
Happiness is not the absence of pain and suffering; it cannot be negatively defined. Additionally, completing a goal or wish does not constitute a good life. A life of total obedience, complete renunciation of comfort, or other material advantages cannot make a person happy because these things go against the very nature of balance. To live a good life, however, there must be a duty, as this is a necessary component of a person’s social role as a member of society.
Personal Values and Priorities
My values include self-awareness, faith, and family. Understanding my wants and needs is a crucial first step toward happiness, made possible by self-awareness. In my family, religion should permeate everyday life, helping us navigate moral issues and giving meaning to our actions, so a religious family is an essential value of mine. My values are interconnected because I am self-aware enough to recognize the value of religion and my family’s commitment to upholding its teachings.
Nevertheless, I can understand how crucial money is, and finance is also a crucial value in my life. I realize the importance of applying Aristotle’s concept of virtue ethics in my roles as a healthcare professional, career woman, and wife. As a member of the medical community, I understand the importance of compassion as a vital virtue. As a wife, my values include loyalty to and respect for the institution of marriage.
Instead of trying to accomplish everything gradually, which would throw most of my life out of balance, all these components should develop simultaneously. There will undoubtedly be times when values conflict, such as when family and finances do, but developing self-awareness will enable me to make the best decision with the least weight on one side. I support Aristotle in that man is social, and ethical obligations teach people to live together.
Fulfilling ethical obligations to people and, for example, the planet is necessary because happiness cannot be found in absolute freedom. The connection between happiness and ethics lies in the fact that only through commitment can people find their place in society and contribute to the common good, which makes life good. Without ethical obligations, people often feel lonely, which can lead to unhappiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, happiness, leading a good life, and ethics are interconnected and have a profound impact on individual lives. Although everyone pursues happiness in different ways, balance is the ultimate objective. Ethics, which considers moral principles and character formation, should be a crucial reference point in interpersonal interactions. Ethical obligations to people and intangible things are necessary for happiness, making a person a part of society.
References
CrashCourse. (2017). What is a good life?:Crash course philosophy #46 [Video]. YouTube.
Mueller, S. (2020). The best be happy quotes. Planet of success.
Narens, L., & Skyrms, B. (2020). The pursuit of happiness: Philosophical and psychological foundations of utility. Oxford University Press.
Sison, A. J., Ferrero, I., & Redín, D. M. (2019). Some virtue ethics implications from Aristotelian and Confucian perspectives on family and business. Journal of Business Ethics, 165(2), 241–254.