Happiness: What Why How???

• What is happiness?
Happiness is a deep feeling of contentment and joy in life.
• Is it different from pleasure or same?
Pleasure is short-term enjoyment, like eating your favorite food, while happiness is
more lasting and fulfilling
• Why do we call it well-being?
We call it well-being because it reflects overall life satisfaction and mental peace.
• Is it short term or everlasting?
Happiness can be short-term or long-lasting, depending on its source.
• Can we learn to be Happy?
Yes, we can learn to be happy by practicing gratitude, kindness, and positive thinking.
• Are virtuous people happier as well?
Virtuous people often feel happier because doing good brings inner peace and
meaning.

Aristotle (Eudaemonia/Eudaimonia): Well-being

“Happiness is the sole meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human
existence.”

• Aristotle's idea of Eudaimonia means true well-being or a deeply fulfilling life. It is not
just about feeling good for a moment but about living with purpose, virtue, and
wisdom.
• He believed that happiness is the ultimate goal of life. Everything we do—learning,
working, building relationships—is to achieve a meaningful and good life.
• True happiness, according to Aristotle, comes from being a good person, making wise
choices, and growing as a human being. It is not just pleasure but a lifelong journey
of self-improvement and virtue.

“For one swallow does not make a summer, nor does one day; and so too one day, or a short
time, does not make a man blessed and happy”

• Aristotle is saying that true happiness (Eudaimonia) is not a momentary feeling but a
lifelong achievement. Just like one swallow (a bird) does not mean summer has
arrived, a single good day does not make someone truly happy.
• Real happiness comes from consistent virtuous living, good choices, and personal
growth over time. It is not about short bursts of pleasure but about building a
meaningful and fulfilling life through wisdom and virtue.

Eudaemonia = Intellectual Virtue + Moral Virtue + Wisdom + Morality

Eudaimonia (true well-being) is achieved through a combination of:

• Intellectual Virtue (Wisdom): Gaining knowledge, thinking rationally, and making wise
decisions.

• Moral Virtue (Morality): Developing good character, acting ethically, and practicing
virtues like courage, kindness, and justice.

For Aristotle, true happiness is not just about feeling good but about living wisely and
virtuously, leading to a deeply fulfilling and meaningful life.
Happiness: An End in itself

Happiness is desirable in itself and never for the sake of something else. But honor,
pleasure,reason, and every virtue we choose indeed for themselves, but we choose them also
for the sake of happiness, judging that by means of them we shall be happy. Happiness, on the
other hand, no one chooses for the sake of these, nor, in general,for anything other than itself.
Happiness, then, is something final and self-sufficient.

• Aristotle is saying that happiness (Eudaimonia) is the ultimate goal of life. Unlike
things like honor, pleasure, or virtue, which we pursue because they lead to happiness,
happiness itself is not a means to anything else—it is an end in itself.
• We seek wealth, success, and wisdom because we believe they will make us happy. But
happiness is complete and self-sufficient, meaning it is valuable for its own sake and
the highest purpose of human life.

Where does Happiness lie???

Happiness lies in a balance of these aspects, rather than in just one. Aristotle believed that true
happiness (Eudaimonia) comes from a well-rounded life with virtue, wisdom, and purpose.
Here's how each factor contributes:

• Health – A healthy body supports a peaceful and happy mind.

• Wealth/Material Comfort – Provides security but is not enough on its own.

• Achievements – Give a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

• Social Relationships – Love, friendships, and family bring emotional support and joy.

• Following Your Passion – Doing what you love gives meaning to life.

• Altruistic Activities – Helping others creates deep inner satisfaction.

• Doing Something for Society – Contributing to the greater good brings a sense of
purpose.

Happiness is not just one thing—it is a mix of personal well-being, meaningful actions, and
good relationships, all guided by wisdom and virtue.

• Happiness has several positive effects on a person’s life. It enhances creativity,

sociability, and skills, encouraging people to think in new ways, build relationships,
and develop new interests. Studies show that happy people are also more cooperative,
healthier, and tend to earn more. Additionally, happiness is linked to longevity, as
happier individuals manage stress and trauma better, leading to overall well-being.
• Harmony is essential for well-being, as it represents a state of inner peace, balance,
and connection with the world. It involves maintaining a balance between different
aspects of life and fostering positive relationships within society. Across cultures,
harmony is seen as a key factor in achieving a good quality of life at both individual and
social levels.
• Well-being goes beyond just happiness and refers to what is truly good for a person.
Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) define parameters for well-
being, which is also a central idea in moral philosophy. Utilitarianism, for example,
argues that well-being should be maximized for the greatest good. Different theories
 define well-being through pleasure (hedonism), fulfilling desires, or meeting
objective criteria for a good life.

‘Happiness’ (2017) A Short Film by Steve Cutts

• Steve Cutts’ short film “Happiness” (2017) is a satire that shows how people chase
happiness in the wrong places. The film uses rats to represent humans, highlighting
how we run after money, success, and material things but never feel truly satisfied.
The main character keeps searching for happiness but ends up stuck in a never-ending
cycle, just like many people in today’s world.
• The film criticizes the "rat race"—the endless struggle for wealth and status. It shows
how society teaches us that buying things, getting promotions, and making more money
will make us happy. But in reality, this pursuit often leads to stress, exhaustion, and
disappointment, rather than real happiness.
• In the end, the film suggests that chasing material success does not bring true
happiness. It makes us think about our own lives and whether we are looking for
happiness in the right places. Instead of running after things, real happiness might come
from relationships, purpose, and inner peace.
• The pursuit of material success and social validation ends in disappointment and
disillusionment.

Happiness is influenced by cultural values. Collectivist cultures prioritize relationships and

social harmony, while individualist cultures emphasize independence and personal goals.
Studies show higher happiness levels in individualist societies, likely due to greater personal
freedom and autonomy in life choices.

"Want to be Happy? Be Grateful" TED Talk by David Steindl-Rast

Every person wants to be happy, and the key to achieving it is by cultivating a sense of gratitude
in our daily lives.

1. Gratitude Leads to Happiness - People who are grateful tend to be happy, rather than
happy people being grateful.
2. Every Moment is an Opportunity - Life constantly presents us with moments to be
grateful for, even in difficult times.
3. The Power of Pausing - By stopping, looking, and then acting with awareness, we can
recognize and appreciate the opportunities for gratitude around us.
4. Gratitude Builds a Better World - When people feel grateful, they become more
compassionate, less fearful, and more willing to help others.

He emphasizes that practicing gratitude is not about ignoring life's struggles but about
appreciating the moments of opportunity we encounter every day. His core message is that if we
can learn to pause and recognize these moments, we can live happier, more fulfilled lives.
Ted Talk by Matthew Ricard on 'The Habits of Happiness' and the concept of mind training

In his TED Talk, The Habits of Happiness, Matthieu Ricard, a Buddhist monk, scientist, and
author, explores the nature of happiness and how we can cultivate it through mind training. He
emphasizes that happiness is a skill that can be developed rather than a fleeting emotional
state dependent on external circumstances.

1. Happiness vs. Pleasure

Ricard begins by differentiating between happiness and pleasure:

• Pleasure is dependent on external conditions and is temporary (e.g., delicious food,

entertainment, material wealth). It can quickly turn into dissatisfaction when the
circumstances change.
• Happiness, in contrast, is a deep sense of well-being that is not easily shaken by
external events. It is cultivated internally through mindset and practice.

2. The Nature of the Mind and Perception

• Ricard explains that our perception of reality affects our happiness. Negative emotions,
such as hatred, jealousy, or greed, distort our perception and lead to suffering.
• He uses the analogy of a calm vs. turbulent ocean-the deeper layers of our
consciousness can remain stable despite surface disturbances if we train our minds.

3. The Concept of Mind Training (Neuroplasticity of Happiness)

• Ricard introduces the idea that happiness is a trainable mental state. He discusses how:
• The brain is malleable (a concept backed by neuroscience) and can be shaped through
meditation, mindfulness, and positive mental habits.
• Practicing compassion, mindfulness, and self-awareness helps to rewire the brain for
greater well-being.
• Studies on meditation practitioners show measurable changes in brain activity
associated with happiness and compassion.

4. The Role of Altruism in Happiness

• Ricard emphasizes that self-centered pursuits often lead to dissatisfaction, whereas

compassion and altruism generate genuine, lasting happiness.
• When we help others, we reduce self-focus and develop a more resilient and fulfilling
sense of joy.

5. Practical Steps to Train the Mind for Happiness

Ricard outlines steps to cultivate happiness through daily practices:

1. Meditation on Loving-Kindness - Developing compassion towards others.

2. Mindfulness - Becoming aware of thoughts and emotions without being controlled by
them.
3. Letting Go of Negative Emotions - Observing anger or jealousy without reacting
impulsively.
4. Consistent Practice - Like learning a musical instrument, training the mind requires
dedication and repetition.

Conclusion
Matthieu Ricard argues that happiness is not something we stumble upon but a habit we
develop. Through mind training, meditation, and shifting focus from self-centered desires to
altruism, we can cultivate a stable, deep-rooted sense of well-being. He encourages us to make
happiness a skill we refine every day, rather than leaving it to chance.

Martin Seligman’s Theory of Authentic Happiness (PERMA Model)

Martin Seligman, a leading psychologist, introduced Positive Psychology, which focuses on

long-term happiness rather than short-term pleasures.

PERMA Model: Five Pillars of Happiness

Pillar Explanation Example

P – Positive Emotions Feeling joy, gratitude, love Watching a sunset
E – Engagement (Flow) Being deeply involved in an activity Playing an instrument
R – Relationships Strong social connections Spending time with friends
M – Meaning Feeling a sense of purpose Volunteering for a cause
A – Accomplishment Achieving goals and mastery Completing a marathon

Signature Strengths

• Seligman argues that using our personal strengths and virtues enhances happiness.

• Example: A compassionate person finds joy in helping others.

Three Levels of Happiness According to Seligman

1. The Pleasant Life – Seeking pleasures (e.g., good food, vacations).

2. The Good Life – Using talents and strengths for personal satisfaction.

3. The Meaningful Life – Serving a greater purpose, leading to lasting happiness.

Tal Ben-Shahar’s SPIRE Model of Well-being

Harvard professor Tal Ben-Shahar expands on happiness with the SPIRE model, which
includes:

1. Spiritual – A sense of meaning and mindfulness.

2. Physical – A healthy body and mind.

3. Intellectual – Continuous learning and growth.

4. Relational – Nurturing personal relationships.

5. Emotional – Developing resilience and optimism.

How to Apply SPIRE in Life

• Meditation (Spiritual) → Enhances mindfulness.

• Exercise (Physical) → Boosts mood and energy.

• Reading (Intellectual) → Expands perspectives.

• Socializing (Relational) → Strengthens bonds.

• Practicing Gratitude (Emotional) → Increases resilience.