TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE……………………………………………………i
CERTIFICATION……………………………………………..ii
DEDICATION…………………………………………………iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS…………………………….……..iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………..vii
CHAPTER
ONE
GENERAL
INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Introduction………………………………………………1
1.2 Statement Of The Problem……………………………………3
1.3 Purpose Of Study……………………………………………..4
1.4 Scope Of The Study……………………………………….….5
1.5 Methodology………………………………………………….6
1.6 Division Of Work……………………………………………..6
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE
REVIEW
2.1
Ancient Period……………………………………..…….…..8
2.2
Medieval Period………………………………………….…12
2.3
Modern Period………………………………………………14
CHAPTER
THREE
THE CONCEPT
OF HAPPINESS
3.1
The Notion Of Ultimate End……………………..………….19
3.2
The Meaning Of Happiness…………………………..……..22
3.3
Kinds Of Happiness…………………………………..……..24
3.3.1 Imperfect Happiness…………………………………..….24
3.3.2 Perfect Happiness………………………………….……..26
3.3.2.1
Absolute Perfect Happiness…………….27
3.3.2.2
Relative Perfect Happiness…………….…..27
3.4 Subjectivity Of Human Happiness………….…28
3.5 Pleasure…………………………………………………...29
3.6 Wealth………………………………………………….…32
3.7 Virtues………………………………………………….…33
CHAPTER
FOUR
AUGUSTINE
ON HAPPINESS
4.1
His Background………………………………………..……36
4.2
Augustinean View……………………………………..….41
4.3
Happiness As Man’s Ultimate Goal……….….43
4.4
Condition for its Attainment………………………...…45
4.5
God: The Object of Perfect Happiness……...…46
4.6 Freedom of Man to Love God…………………48
4.7 Where Could it be Attained?.........................50
CHAPTER
FIVE
SYNTHESIS OF THE VIEW
5.1
Evaluation…………………………………………………52
5.2
Conclusion………………………………………………..60
BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………..61
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Aristotle in the commencement of his “Metaphysics”
wrote: “pantes anthropoi tou eidenai oregontai phuse” (all men by nature desire to know). This existential
passion or desire is quite innate and intrinsic in man. Due to that
irresistible urge in man to know, he involves himself in a curious and
inquisitive search into the reasons for his existence. Perhaps Socrates
realized this fact and so maintained, “an unexamined life is not worth living”.
In other words, the life of man on earth must have a
purpose. And, in order to grasp this end of human life on earth, an intensive
study is necessarily indispensable.
To provide an answer or answers to these timely
interrogatives, scholars, thinkers, erudite philosophers from many schools of
thought have given diverse views and opinions. St Augustine of Hippo argues and
advocates that “Happiness” is the purpose of human life and actions. Put
differently, he submits that happiness is the essence of human existence.
Following this Augustinian trend of thesis would be that man; by virtue of his
personhood has a natural inclination to happiness.
Nevertheless, the postulation of the end of human life
as a search for happiness has altogether become problematic. The issue to
grapple with is how to effect a true understanding of the notion of happiness.
What do we mean when we say that someone is happy? In this wise, I intend to
contribute to the effort being made towards understanding the one human
objective – “to achieve happiness.” This will be done by a critical appraisal
of the notion of happiness in St.
Augustine.
1.2 THE
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
There are myriads of instabilities – political,
economic, religious et cetera. The issues of bribery and corruption and the
attendant poverty of purse and mind have remained heart-rending. In the most
parts of the world, some countries are characterised as rich but poor nation, no
thanks to her administrators, from past to the present.
Although many interpretations have been given to
account for the numerous failures evident in the seemingly non-abating societal
problems, I wish to focus on the psycho-existential quest of man as the root of
the problem. What this means is that he understands the problem as emanating
from the deep human desire to be satisfied and to feel good. Everybody desires the good And even when at the end what
was desired turned out to be bad, it
was initially desired as an apparent good.
Accordingly, the failed administrators are all seeking
the ways to be happy. The youths who engage in violent, immoral and criminal
activities are invariably seeking for happiness. If all these are so, it then
calls for a fresh study of the notion of happiness. This is our contention!
This is our aim!! However we do so through the perspective pf St. Augustine of
Hippo.
1.3 PURPOSE OF
THE STUDY
What is happiness? What does it mean to be happy? And
in what does happiness consist? These and other like questions are what I set
out to investigate in this work. This investigation is proper especially at
this moment when there is an obvious misinformation about the concept of
happiness. People no longer understand what it means to be happy and the
difference between happiness and pleasure. The fact we shall gather through
this discursive investigation and exegesis, hopefully, will help to redirect
our minds towards the proper appreciation of happiness.
1.4 SCOPE
OF THE STUDY
The centrality of the concept of happiness to man has
made it a topic of everybody’s interest. Scholars of various inclinations have
commented and written profusely about happiness. Various religions preach it as
the goal of human striving encapsulated in the notion of the beatific vision.
More so, the goal of scientific and technological advancements has also been
noted to be the longing for happiness and good
life
But not withstanding the available literary corpus on
happiness, I will limit myself to the Augustinean view on happiness, especially
as explicated in his works – The City of God and the Confessions. In any case,
the views of other thinkers, philosophers and theologians will be made use of
when the need arises.
1.5
METHODOLOGY
Every literary work goes with its unique style and
methodology. In this work, I will employ the methods of exposition, analysis
and evaluation. The views of Augustine on happiness are brought to the fore
through a systematic narrative exposition to highlight the basic tenets. Now
abreast with his doctrine, I shall analytically evaluate the whole idea with
the strength of some existential facts. The whole methodological approach will
be critical.
1.6
DIVISION OF WORK
The work is divided into five chapters. Chapter
one is the general introduction for Proper understanding of the essay: the
statement of the problem, the purpose and the method used, the scope, division
of the work. Chapter two bears literature review on happiness. Chapter three
provides us with the clarification of various concepts. The view of Augustine
of Hippo is portrayed in chapter four. A critical appraisal and conclusion
brings the work to an end in chapter five.
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