Essay about Philosophy Living a Happy Life - 1550 Words

As one ponders on how to live a good life, many ideas come to mind. Whether this may be wealth, family, or beauty, the early philosopher’s theories need to be taken into consideration. Those early philosophers include Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and The Epicureans. These four committed their lives towards bettering life, and are the basis of most philosophical theories. It is evident that these four need to be read, understood, and discussed to better understand one’s life. They always pondered on the thought of how to have a perfect life and society. When one makes their own theory, based upon these early philosophers, not only do they need to establish a strong belief system, it is required to practice this too. Plato had the†¦show more content†¦Explaining himself in his work Gorgias, Plato has Socrates and Polus talking to each other about the relation between happiness and wrong doing. Polus answers yes, happiness and wrong doing go together. Fu rthering his answer, Polus describes how a happy man is a powerful man. This powerful man can do whatever he wants. The example used by Polus is the powerful man can murder others, but does not get imprisoned for it. He can do whatever he want, and is therefore powerful. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Socrates answers no. Plato’s belief is expressed through Socrates. Socrates states that only virtue and morality that matter in life. Nothing else, like wealth or power, truly matter for a happy person. For Socrates, a happy person is a moral person. He also believes that it is better to suffer than to do a wrong to another person. Plato also expresses his views in Book 2 of The Republic in the story of The Ring of Gyges. In this story, there are two men, each with a magic ring. One man is a just man while the other is found to be unjust. The just man decides to not use the rings power, which would allow the man to become invisible and do whatever he wants to do. However, the unjust man decides to use this power, but is caught up in his actions and is not happy ultimately. The just man, since not using the ring, is happy because he is in control of himself and did the virtuous action of not becomingShow MoreRelatedHappiness and Epicurus Essay examples1438 Words   |  6 PagesEpicureanism is a philosophy developed the teachings and ideals of a man named Epicurus. Epicureanism is defined by Epicurus as the pleasure for the end of all morality and that real pleasure is attained through a life of prudence, honor, and justice. Epicurus introduced this philosophy around 322 B.C, and two schools established in Athens. Epicurus taught the ethics of his philosophy in his school, that a person should live by the art of making life happy, and that prudence is the noblest partRead MoreAristotle Think Made A Good Life849 Words   |  4 Pages Aristotle wondered what made a good life. 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