HAPPINESS

According to Merriam Webster, “Happiness is the state of being happy and an experience

that makes you happy.” In this society, some of us are confused what is all about true happiness.

Pleasure is also happiness but it is not the same as pleasure. It is very useful to know the differences

between happiness and pleasure and whether you are really happy or pure satisfaction. However,

happiness is something you inhabit through life experiences but happiness is not the same as

pleasure, and happiness has two paths: hedonistic and eudaimonic.

Happiness is not the same as pleasure (Manson, 2013). It is internally generated and a state

of inner fulfillment. A fulfillment that comes from circumstances, but it is not dependent on it. It

actually gives the inner resources to deal better with those circumstances. Happiness is internally

generated because it is the product of all the good experiences done by yourself and to someone

related into your life. On the other hand, pleasure is externally motivated and fleeting. Most of us

know pleasure. It is the sensation that drives us to do what we want in our life even though it is

bad for us. Those who focus their energy only on materialistic and satisfaction ends up unstable

and less happy because pleasure has an end while happiness is endless. While pleasure is not

enough, there is something more. Therefore, true happiness is the needs in order to fulfill your life,

not the wants and desires for outward things.

According to Dowthwaite (2018), happiness has two paths: hedonistic and eudaimonic.

Hedonistic is about satisfaction and desire. Hedonist live a happy life through maximized pleasure

and desire. This view is about satisfying human’s wants and desire but it is often limited and has

an end. Hedonist also continue to seek new pleasure and experiences, and avoid painful feelings

in order to fulfill their happiness. In contrast, eudaimonic pursue the meaning of life with good

values. This view pursues the meaning of life through kindness, honesty, hard work, courage, and
other good values. In additional, eudaemonist uses their power to contribute to something better

than ourselves. This may occur unpleasant experiences and emotions, but often leads to deeper

level of joy and contentment. Therefore, hedonistic is about satisfying human’s wants and desire

in order to live a happy life while eudaimonic has directions in life, giving contributions, suffer,

and contentment.

Happiness is not the same as pleasure because happiness is internally generated,

fulfillment, and inhabit through life experiences while pleasure is externally motivated and focus

only on materialistic and pure satisfaction. Happiness has two paths: the hedonistic and

eudaimonic wherein hedonist live a happy life through maximized pleasure, satisfaction, and

desire while eudaemonist live a happy life through achieving goals in life, giving contributions,

suffer, and contentment. Dowthwaite (2018) said that, “Living a happy life is not about avoiding

hard times; it is about being able to respond to adversity in a way that allows you to grow from

experiences.” Most of us spend our energy seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. In order to have a

happy life, we must follow the right path and be contented to what we have now. We hope that by

knowing this, we will feel happiness. Yet abiding happiness and following your desire to be

satisfied is not good.

 HAPPINESS

Intro 1.0

1.1 It is all about happiness.

1.2 What is happiness, happiness is not the same as pleasure, and has two paths to happiness.

1.3 To inform everyone to have a background knowledge about happiness and to encourage them.

1.4 Happiness is something you inhabit through life experiences but happiness is not the same as

pleasure and has two paths to happiness.

Body 2.0

2.1 Happiness is not the same as pleasure

2.1.1 Happiness is internally generated and fulfillment.

2.1.2 Pleasure is externally motivated and fleeting.

2.2 Happiness has two paths: hedonistic and eudaimonic

2.2.1 Hedonistic is about satisfaction and desire.

2.2.2 Eudaimonic pursue the meaning of life with good values.

Conclusion 3.0

3.1 Happiness is not the same as pleasure because happiness is internally generated, and

fulfillment while pleasure is externally motivated and fleeting. Happiness has two paths: hedonistic

and eudaimonic wherein hedonistic is about satisfaction and desire while eudaimonic pursue the

meaning of life with good values.

3.2 Most of us spend our energy seeking pleasure and avoiding pain. We hope that by knowing

this, we will feel happiness. Yet, abiding happiness and following your desire to be satisfied is not

good.