Philosophical Paths to Self-Sufficiency and Happiness

The Ethics of Self-Sufficiency and Happiness

Stoicism: Living According to Nature

The ethics of self-sufficiency are represented by the Stoics, who heighten Aristotle's sense of a perfectionist human maximum. Their motto is "live according to Nature." The wise man is self-sufficient when he discovers and accepts the immutable order, placing everything in the accepting hands of fate, ensuring internal peace, and mastering his emotions regardless of the suffering or opinions of others. Serenity is the only source of happiness. Virtue itself is happiness as self-sufficiency.

Epicureanism: The Pursuit of Prudent Pleasure

Ethical Hedonists argue that moral action is justified by "Pleasure." Two schools are mentioned, including Epicureanism, founded by Epicurus, who states that the sage seeks self-sufficiency. The wise and prudent happy person is modest and does not get carried away by excesses; they are good and virtuous because they are known to enjoy natural pleasures. This philosophy speaks to the satisfaction of natural desires as a natural asset—the beginning and end of a happy life. Happiness consists in attaining pleasure and avoiding pain, which underpins an empirical investigation of human behavior. Their motto is also "live according to Nature." Through moral reason, the wise person calculates activities that provide more pleasure and less pain, distributing intelligence throughout the pleasures of their life. Morality is the art of living happily.

Utilitarianism: The Greatest Good

Utilitarianism refers to "useful" properties subject to produce any advantage, benefit, pleasure, or happiness. Good moral actions lead to the happiness of others. Human action seeks pleasure through social feelings with which every human is endowed. Sympathy leads to the desire to obtain the most pleasure and happiness. The principle of morality and the approach to rational decisions is to obtain the maximum happiness for the greatest number of people possible.

Pleasures are distinguished by quality; there are higher and lower pleasures:

• Higher pleasures: Moral and intellectual pursuits.
• Lower pleasures: Basic physical gratifications.

Those who experience both are in a position to choose which are superior and which are inferior. People generally prefer moral and intellectual pleasures. Utilitarianism ultimately aims for humans to collaborate in a prosperous and happy society.