Beyond Pleasure And Satisfaction

Happiness has been one of the most essential and long-standing values and issues in human society. The discussion as well as the pursuit of happiness has never ceased. The history of human civilization is abundant with stories of happiness-pursuing. However, in modern society, many people get lost in their pursuit and understanding of happiness due to the increasing availability of material and cultural diversity as well as options for ways of life. In spite of the progress made in material possession and social rights, many people don't feel happy at all, which can be the very reason for a re-examination on the issue of happiness. The issue of happiness has aroused the concerns of and been explored by many great personages in the history, yet a consensus has not been arrived at despite the multitudes of perspectives and theories. Accordingly, this research sets out to explore the issue of happiness in general and what happiness is, why to strive for happiness, and how to fulfill happiness in particular, with a holistic, historical and methodological analysis, calling forth our attention to our life and existence.Chapter one presents a brief introduction of the theme of the research - happiness, which has been with human from the start and played a predominant role in human history as well as in people's daily life.Chapter two concentrates on the understanding of what happiness is. It is difficult to define happiness due to its complicated nature. Therefore, the conception of happiness can be interpreted relatively and multi-dimensionally.Chapter three is devoted to observing a great tradition concerning the discussion of happiness in the western culture, particularly in the field of philosophy. Some representative theories of happiness, such as eudemonism, hedonism, stoicism, utilitarianism are thoroughly examined.Chapter four focuses on the phenomenon of "Paradox of Happiness" in modern society. More material possessions do not necessarily mean being happier. John Cheever's short stories, which feature in depicting the "happy life" of the American middle-class, are analyzed as manifestations of modern people's anxiety and perplexity over happiness.Chapter five places emphasis on how to fulfill happiness, which includes an analysis of some common factors contributing to happiness, that is, happiness and virtue, happiness and social relationship, happiness and labor, happiness and adversity, happiness and wealth.Chapter six draws a general conclusion based on the previous discussion with a suggestion that happiness lies in the pursuit of it as well as the attainment of it.Researches on happiness are necessary in modern society which is flooded with so many social problems. It is high time for human beings to take a deeper insight into the meaning and value of life and existence. And this research is to escalate our understanding of human existence as well as widen our horizon in pursuing and realizing our own happiness.