Abstract
The paper seeks to understand happiness in Aristotle’s and Buddha’s thought. This is not to argue about which of them has the best or greatest teaching on how to attain happiness. The research problems are the following: Is there a differences on the notion of happiness between Aristotle and Buddha? What are the approaches in attaining happiness? What is the end of happiness for both of them? What is the origin of happiness as conceived by them? And Is the Golden Mean the same as or different with Middle Path of Buddha. The paper also seeks to identify the possible similarities and differences in the ways on how to attain happiness. The framework to be used is the discourses on happiness by Eastern philosophy of Gautama Buddha specifically on The Four Noble Truths (dukkha) The Eightfold Path, anatta (egolessness), and anicca (impermanence) and the Western philosophy of Aristotle. Rather than using traditional philosophical method I used comparative study. The methodology to be used is comparative analysis in order to identify relationships on the notion, approaches and discipline on how to attain happiness. Similarities and differences from distinct traditions are to be discussed.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ackrill, J. (1984). Aristotle the philosopher: A comprehensive introduction to Aristotle. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Alcorn, R. (2015). Happiness. United States of America: Tyndale house Publishers Inc.
Aristotle. (1985). Aristotle: Nicomachean ethics (T. Irwin, Trans.). Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. (Original work published 384-322 B.C.).
Buddha’s “The four noble truths”. (n.d.). Retrieved, March 15, 2019, from https://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/reader/noble.pdf.
Carus, P. (1915). The noble eightfold path by Buddha. Retrieved, March 15, 2019, from https://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/reader/reader/c1982.html.
Cavell, S. (2004). Aristotle in cities of words: Pedagical letters on a register of the moral life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Co, A. P. (2003). Philosophy of the compassionate Buddha: Under the bo-tree… on the lotus flower. Manila: UST Publishing House.
Graham, G. (2011). Theories of ethics: An introduction to moral philosophy with a selection of classic readings. New York: Edward Brothers Inc.
Kornfield, J. (2019). Finding the middle way. Retrieved March 16, 2019, from https://jackkornfield.com/finding-the-middle-way/.
Laumakis, S. J. (2008). An introduction to Buddhist philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lopez, D. (2019). Eightfold path: Buddhism. Retrieved March 16, 2019, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eightfold-Path.
Martin, A. (2014). Is happiness the meaning of life? Retrieved March 23, 2019, from https://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/07/22/is-happiness-the-meaning-of-life/.
Montemayor, F. (1994). Ethics: The philosophy of life. Navotas, Manila: National Book Store.
Muller, M., & Maguire, J. (2001). Dhammapada: Annotated and explained. United States of America: Skylights Paths Publishing.
O’Brien, B. (2018). Prajna or panna in Buddhism. Retrieved March 16, 2019, from https://www.thoughtco.com/prajna-or-panna-449852.
Parrish, E. (2014). The Buddhist commity and hot it parallels with Aristotle’s views on happiness. Retrieved March 23, 2019, from https://bearmarketreview.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/the-buddhist-commity-and-how-it-parallels-with-aristoles-views-on-happiness/.
Ramos, C. R. (2004). Introduction to philosophy (1st ed.). Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Store Inc.
Shagufta, B., Shaista, J., & Aneeqa, B. A. (n.d.). Happiness: A psycho-philosophical appraisal. Lahore, PK: University of Punjab.
Smith, H. (1991). The world’s religions. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
The Dhammapada abridged. (n.d.). Retrieved, March 15, 2019, from https://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/reader/dhammapada.pdf.
The noble eightfold path by Buddha. (n.d.) Retrieved, March 15, 2019, from https://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/reader/eightfold.pdf.
The pursuit of happiness bringing the science of happiness to life: Aristotle. (n.d.). Retrieved, March 24, 2019, from https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/aristotle/.
The pursuit of happiness bringing the science of happiness to life: Buddha. (n.d.). Retrieved, March 24, 2019, from https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/aristotle/.
Thiroux, J. P. (2004). Ethics, theory and practice (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Hamilton Printing.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Brotamante, J.B. (2021). Aristotle’s and Buddha’s Notion of Happiness: A Comparative Study. In: Hongladarom, S., Joaquin, J.J. (eds) Love and Friendship Across Cultures. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4834-9_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4834-9_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-33-4833-2
Online ISBN: 978-981-33-4834-9
eBook Packages: Religion and PhilosophyPhilosophy and Religion (R0)