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Madrigal 1

Ivan Madrigal
Professor Shannon Atkinson
Philosophy 1010-008
19 October 2016
The Theories of Happiness
For thousands of years, mankind has attempted to define and create a formula to obtain
happiness. Merriam-Webster defines happiness as a state of well-being and contentment, joy, or
a pleasurable or satisfying experience.1 Yet many have drawn a distinction between lasting
happiness and instant gratification. Saying that quick pleasure cannot solve mans never ending
search for peace because they are forever fleeting, and therefore are not real happiness. Others
may say that if man wants to leave life in peace and with no regrets, then man must experience
all the pleasures that life has to offer. Which leads to the question (rather if it is in large quantities
and short-term or instead has a higher quality intended for the long-term) do lifes physical
pleasures equal happiness, or do we just have to learn to be content with what we have? In this
paper, I will discuss and attempt to gain a better understanding of the philosophies of Hedonists,
Cynics and Stoics. Then compare and contrast their varying views on how we may obtain true
happiness or peace.
Hedonism
Hedonism (from the Greek word for pleasure)2 is a practice of believing that pleasure in
inherently good, and we should to be motivated to obtain it. In turn, pain and suffering are evil,
1 "Happiness", Merriam-Webster
2 Soccio, p. 182

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and we ought to be motived to avoid them. There are alternate versions of Hedonism that vary
greatly, but they all stick to the principle that happiness is obtained by having pleasure. Some
hedonist go as far as to say that anything that provides pleasure must be good, and that it is their
right to get as much of it as possible. 3Hedonist believe that all human motivation is naturally
driven by a desire for pleasure or a desire to avoid pain or displeasure. Which would imply that
we are all in some way hedonist, even if we wont admit it. Because underneath it all, our base
instinct or desire is to seek continuous pleasure while escaping from as many displeasures as
possible.
A rather extreme form of Hedonism, Cyrenaic Hedonism was philosophy founded by Aristippus
of Cyrene, and later further developed by his grandson Aristippus the Younger. Originating in the
4th century, this hedonist Greek school of philosophy focus on the idea that any and all pleasures
are good. Pleasures cannot be bad, but rather are measured by level of intensity. Furthermore,
sensory pleasures are tangible and more intense, thus better than those of the mind or emotion.4
These physical pleasures are also the best because they are immediate and easily accessible.
Aristippus stresses that we must not deprive ourselves of pleasure in the hope of better future
pleasures because they may never come. Even if they will, having pleasures immediately is
always better than potentially great pleasures that currently are out of your grasp.
In this philosophy, the measure of a good hedonist is if they are able to maximize their pleasure
while minimizing their displeasure.5 By this measure, being virtuous is a not the path to

3 Soccio, p. 183
4 Soccio, p. 183
5 The Cyrenaics Resource

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happiness, but can be more of a tool to get more pleasure. The Cyrenaic tends to believe that all
knowledge is relative, and the senses can determine what is real or true. Which leads them to the
conclusion that we can only really know what we feel or sense from the things that are physical.6
With this belief, it easier to see how they make the leap to, I only know what I feel and I only
wish to know pleasure.
The other Hedonistic philosophy I will discuss is that of Epicurean Hedonism or Epicureanism.
It follows the basic principle of other hedonism (pleasures are good and pain is bad), but it
differs dramatically from the teaching of Aristippus. Obtaining pleasure is still the primary goal,
but not every pleasure should be indulged. Especially if they prohibit man from having even
greater lasting pleasures or, if they might lead to too much suffering. Epicureans even preferred
to undergo certain pains to having the immediate physical pleasures. In the hope that greater
pleasure would come as a result of their suffering. Epicureans weighed pleasures against pains;
by determining if a pleasure was worth the potential pain to come, or if some pains were worth
undergoing for the promise of a lasting pleasure. This leads to the assertions; that while all
pleasures are good, not all are desirable, and while every pain is bad, not all should be
automatically rejected. We must judge all endeavors and opportunities by contrasting pleasures
against possible displeasures.7
Epicureans believe pleasure to be the supreme value, but especially the pleasures of inner
peace. To have freedom for mental turmoil is of far greater importance than merely experiencing
physical pleasure.8 They stressed to resist urges for unnecessary desires and encourage men to
learn to be content with having modest material wealth. To them, men ceased to exist when their
6 The Cyrenaics Resource
7 Soccio, p. 185

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bodies had decomposed, they did not believe in survival of this spirit beyond death. Still, death
should not be feared because only pain and suffering was something to be dreaded, a death meant
the end of all experience, thus no more pain. Epicureans also suggested that men not take part in
politics and should not pursue a public life, but it was better to have private goals of friendship
and philosophical discussion.9
Cynicism
Founded by Antisthenes in 5th century B.C., the philosophy of Cynicism is based on the
belief that civilization is corrupt and makes man soft.10 The Cynics hated the common hedonism
and hypocrisy that took place Athens. They believed that material wealth causes suffering, and
makes man physically and morally weak. Aspirations for success and power corrupt, and spawn
dishonesty, greed, and dependency. Cynics also believed that manners and being polite were fake
and in a way, hypocritical. The word Cynic is derived from the Greek word for dog, and is
fittingly given to Diogenes. A well-known advocate for the Cynical life, Diogenes was unwashed
and refused to follow the norms of dress and behavior. Happiness (per the Cynics) came from
virtue of self-discipline, and the ability to control ones desires and appetites. Then to separate
oneself from conventional society, and being independent in your thinking. Proponents of
Cynicism tended to be sarcastic or hostile, and often mocked those who conformed to
conventions and institutions.11

8 Long, p.153
9 Long, p.153
10 Soccio, p. 187
11 Soccio, p. 187

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Cynic virtue is a living a life in an accord with nature, because they believe it offers the
clearest indication of how to live a good life. Social conventions interfere with the pursuit of the
good life or happiness. Conventions are obstacles when exercising our natural freedoms, and
anything that opposes nature and reason should be rejected. Cynics see conventions as being
often absurd and worthy of ridicule.12 They also didnt like politicians and philosophers who
seemed too often concerned with such things as fame and fortune. Cynics often advocates for
asksis, the practice of freeing oneself from convention, mastering self-sufficiency, and of course
living as nature intended. Such methods lead some Cynics into a life poverty, embracing it even,
and they would often ridicule others publicly for living a life as some mindless followers. The
Cynics like to undermine the most hallowed principles of the Athenians, but they did this for the
purpose of replacing them with those in accord with reason, nature, and virtue.13
Stoicism
Stoicism is a philosophy from the Hellenistic period, and founded by Zeno of Citium in
the 3rd century B.C. The name comes from a decorated porch (stoa poikil) in Athens where the
members of the school would meet for their lectures. The Stoics taught that emotions like fear or
envy came from false judgements, and a sage was a person who had attained moral and
intellectual perfection and would not undergo such afflictions. Later, Stoics of Roman Imperial
times, emphasized the doctrines that taught that the sage is utterly immune to misfortune, and
that virtue is sufficient for happiness. Stoics teach that idea that happiness consists in the
rational selection of the things according to nature. 14

12 Piering, "Cynics."
13 Piering, "Cynics."

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According to Stoicism, Logos is kind of like a divine power that controls all and puts
things in their natural order, like fate. Logos keeps the universe rational and we do not have the
ability to control what logos does, so Stoics say why stress over that which we cannot control.
Everything that happens is in some way connected to everything else, thus everything is
connected to the Logos. This belief that the universe is rationally ordered by Logos is one of the
principle aspects of Stoicism, and leads to a connection with religion and the existence of god.
Because if the universe is put in a divine order, then there must be a plan. If we can learn to
accept this, then we see that nothing that happens is wrong, because it is all part of Gods rational
plan.15 Then we no longer must worry about the future or stress over the past or present. Stoics
still believe there is free will, in the sense that we can control our attitude about a situation. We
should work on developing an attitude acceptance and knowing somethings just arent up to us.
This quote pretty much sums up how they felt about life, According to the Stoics, we suffer to
the extent that we take our own lives personally.16
Conclusion
I have discussed four philosophies that paint pretty different ways to look at life, and how
we might obtain happiness. Cyrenaic Hedonism focuses on the pursuit of pleasure, especially on
getting tons of immediate physical pleasure. Epicurean Hedonism still focus on having pleasure,
but lasting pleasure on the mind is best. Cynicism preaches that society if corrupt, and doesnt
allow man to live according to nature. Also, we cannot allow our happiness to depend on what

14 Baltzly, "Stoicism."
15 Soccio, p. 194
16 Soccio, p. 201

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society says we need. Stoics believe that everything is controlled by logos, and that happiness or
content comes when one learns they cannot control what happens and instead works on
developing their attitude about life. I believe that the pursuit of happiness is endeavor that every
man has to take, and it is not going to be the same for everyone. Some might feel they have
found happiness in their simple modest life. Others might find their peace by succeeding
publicly. For me, I cant see myself ever completely adopting one of these extreme theories, but I
think there is a healthy mix in the middle. Enjoy some immediate pleasure, but dont let them get
in the way of what you really want in your life. Dont always just do what youre supposed to
just because society say so. I also really like what the Stoics taught, because if at the end of the
day you cannot learn to accept the situations you are put in. Happiness will continue to elude.

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Works Cited
"Happiness." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.
Soccio, Douglas J. Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy, 7th Ed. Wadsworth:
Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.
"The Cyrenaics Resource." Lucian of Samosata Wiki. N.p., 16 July 2016. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
Long, Roderick (2008). "Epicureanism". In Hamowy, Ronald. The Encyclopedia of
Libertarianism. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE; Cato Institute. p. 153. ISBN 978-1-41296580-4. LCCN 2008009151. OCLC 750831024.
Piering, Julie. "Cynics." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
Baltzly, Dirk. "Stoicism." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, 15 Apr.
1996. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.

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