1.2 Theoretical Perspectives of Happiness

There are main theories of happiness that try to describe the focus of the question of what makes people feel happy. These are:

• Hedonistic Happiness: Hedonic happiness is attained through an understanding of pleasure and enjoyment. In the fourth century B.C., Greek philosopher, Aristippus believed that the ultimate goal in our life should be to make the most of pleasure. It means happiness encompasses maximising pleasure and minimising pain.
• Characteristics:
• Presence of positive mood
•  Absence of negative mood
• Satisfaction with various domains of Life
• Eudemonic Happiness: Aristotle, a great philosopher used this to explain one’s happiness. Instead of simple pleasure or pain, Eudemonic happiness is one’s values or ideals or achieving a goal through effort or struggle. This is a deeper sense of happiness and is also called Psychological well-being. Eudemonic Happiness consists of exercising an individual’s strengths, abilities, talents, values and skills.
• Characteristics:
• Sense of Control or Self-Regulation
• A feeling of Meaning and Purpose
• Feelings of belongingness
• Social contribution