Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1 – HEDONIC HAPPINESS
The path to happiness and defining it has been a subject in humankind’s history since
the ancient Greeks walked the Earth. At that time, the first type of happiness was
defined as hedonism or the intrinsic desire of the pursuit of pleasure over pain. A
Greek philosopher from 4th century BC, Aristippus, defined happiness as the sum of
life’s hedonic events. Hedonic was described as a relaxed state where one feels more
removed from any life issues and is able to say they “feel happy.”
Many people view hedonistic happiness as primarily self-focused and derived more
from an external source. While hedonism is generally more recognized as gaining
pleasure through physical sensations like alcohol, food, sex, or drugs, hedonic
happiness can create similar effects that stem from a mental or emotional pleasure.
Things, like buying a new car, getting a promotion or raise at work, or accomplishing
a major goal, are examples of this. One is more short term sensations of happiness
or pleasure, whereas the other requires long term effort to achieve.
While the philosophers still debate on hedonic happiness and its complete meaning,
they all adhere to three principals. These principals are defined under the term
“subjective wellbeing,” with “wellbeing” used interchangeably with “happiness.”
Satisfaction with life for that moment or overall
Having a positive mood
Not having a negative mood
2 – EUDAIMONIC HAPPINESS
Eudaimonic happiness was introduced by Aristotle. He felt that man was driven to
more than to just act upon pleasure like an animal. Humans were greater than
that. He placed humankind’s happiness on the ability to act out of morals and
virtue. Essentially, it is the idea that one feels happiness when one feels complete
about themselves, or that they’re being their ‘true self’. Proponents of this philosophy
do not view happiness as mere pleasure. Instead, it is based on morals, virtues, and
the development of one’s strengths. They believe an individual will derive happiness
through taking actions and making decisions consistent with their beliefs, morals, and
self-competence.
As our society is becoming more sophisticated, this philosophy has permeated the
minds of many. The entire concept of “finding oneself” in positive psychology, healing
your inner child, and more are in some ways based on this concept over the hedonic.
That said, our society also places great emphasis on the importance of money,
external goods, prestige, and status. These things are more reflective of hedonic
happiness.
4 – GET PHYSICAL
Staying physically active not only produces hormones that create that happy feeling,
but it burns off stress, keeps your blood flowing to encourage creativity, and keeps you
out with others who are sharing the same activity.
8 – INVEST IN SELF-GROWTH
Personal growth is an ongoing lifestyle. When a person believes they “just are the way
they are,” it inhibits growth. They have locked themselves into a way of being that
doesn’t flex with life. Choosing to have a growth mindset allows you to learn new
things, discover more about yourself, and be creative in how you approach obstacles.