Science, Technology, and Society (Midterm Lecture)  What is Happiness to Them?

Module 4: The Human Person Flourishing in terms of Science and Technology a) Socrates
- Based on having a virtuous life becoming a function of one’s character.
- “Flourishing” in plants refers to a vigorous and healthy growth. It is also defined as - Dala-dala mo na yung cerian virtue na meron ka at nagiging identity mo na iyon
developing rapidly and successfully thriving. para sa ibang tao.
- But in humans, philosophers defined it as “eudaimonia” which came from a Greek word b) Aristotle
“eudaimon” that means the state of being happy and contented. Martin Heidegger - According to him, Socrates’ view is conditional acceptable, however, happiness also
believes in human flourishing and he also believes in technology and not against it. In depends on other conditions (it takes not just Virtue, but also Worldly Conditions).
fact, his concern is to use technology in a proper way. - May virtue ka nga (ex. Honesty) pero nagugutom naman yung family mo so
 What is Human Flourishing? basically hindi Karin happy).
- Human flourishing also means “eudaimonia” c) Epicurus and succeeding Hedonists
- According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it is a Greek word from “eudaimon” which - To them, eudaimonia is the highest good associated with pleasure.
means having a good attendant or indwelling spirit, lucky, and happy. - For you to be happy, you need pleasure.
- Farlex Dictionary defined it as contented state of being happy, healthy, and prosperous. d) Stoics
- The Human-Nature (humans) on the other hand defined it as an effort to achieve self- - They stressed the value of discipline (we need discipline).
actualization and fulfillments within the context of a larger community of individuals, - “Eudaimonia” was the highest good but “virtue” for them is living in harmony with
each with the right to pursue his/her own such efforts. nature.
 What is Human Flourishing in Human Philosophy? - Moral virtue for them is good and moral vice is bad and the rest in between
- Defined as the right action heading to “well-being” of the individual, keeping “well- (health, honor, and riches) are neutral.
being” as having essential value. e) St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas
- Ancient Greek philosophy/philosophers postulated a system of Virtue Ethics, in which - Eudaimonia or human flourishing is having acknowledged of God and blessedness.
they practiced “arete” (means virtues or values) in a person; daily activities carrying f) John Locke
“phronesis” (practical wisdom) to resolve the conflict or predicaments that might arise - Happiness is pursued through prudence ( Prudence is good judgment, wisdom, and
in order for the individual to flourish and live the eudaimonia (the good life). common sense)
- Eudaimonia as the ultimate goal is an objective state that characterizes the “well-lived g) Anthony Bradley
life” regardless of the emotional state of a person (the goal of eudaimonia is a well-lived - (Kings College, NY) wrote in World Magazine and emphasis on human flourishing,
life regardless of the emotional state of a person). our and others’, becomes important because it is characterized by a holistic
- Happiness is not a measurement of a good life (Ex. Yung mga rapist, magnanakaw, at concern for the spiritual, moral, physical, economic, material, political,
adik ay masaya sa ginagawa nila pero hindi good life ang meron sila). psychological, and social context necessary for human beings to live according to
 What does Early Thinkers Believe? their design.
a) Socrates  What is Happiness?
- To search the ultimate good that human desires and aims to achieve needs. - Sense of purpose
- To reach eudaimonia, to be happy, and to have a good life, we need virtue (Virtue - Quality of life
refers to the knowledge of good and evil). - Health
b) Plato - Financial Stability
- Mind must govern the spirit, emotions, and physical desires to enjoy eudaimonia, - Relationships
having virtue as its principal component.  What is Eudaimonia?
- Our mind must be above our emotion, spirit, and physical desires (Virtue = - Flourishing
Eudaimonia) - Self-fulfillment
c) Aristotle - Good Spirit
- Eudaimonia is composed not by honor, wealth, or power but by rational activity in
Eudaimonia
line with virtue over self-actualization manifested by honesty, pride or respect
toward ourselves, friendliness, and wittiness. - Formal definition of happiness :
- Self-Actualization: It is the realization or fulfillment of one’s talents and a) That is desired for itself
potentialities, considered as a drive or need. b) That it is not desired for the sake of anything else
- Happiness: For Aristotle, it is having a virtuous life (high moral standards) doing c) That it satisfies all desires and has no evil mixed in with it
what is worth doing. Happiness depends on us. d) That it is stable
- Eudaimonia can be attained if we have self-actualization. - Material definition of happiness:
a) Life of gratification
 b) Life of money-making - Shalom is the one that signifies a right relationship with God, with fellowmen, and with
c) Life of political action God’s creation.
d) Philosophical life - Dr. Neal Plantinga wrote in his article: “The webbing together of God, humans, and all
 What Constitutes Happiness? creations in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Old Testament prophets called
1. Function according to nature “Shalom”. We call it peace, but it means far more than the mere peace of mind or
- Human beings peculiar function consists in reasoning and acting in accord with cease-fire among enemies…In the Bible, “Shalom” means universal flourishing,
reason wholeness, delight, and a rich state of affairs…”
- Possession and exercise of virtue is essential element in our living well  Human Flourishing in the New Testament
- The sermon of the Beatitudes started on verses 3-12, a series of nine statements
Virtue
wherein each begins with the Greek word “makarios” (makarioi for plural).
- It is also called “arête” - These statements have been called the “Beatitudes” in the English translation and
- Highest quality state it can reach “makarios” in Latin is translated as “beatus” meaning blissful, happy, fortunate, or
- The general account of virtue (Characters of the human soul): flourishing.
a) Part that governs (reason) - In the English translation of the Bible, the Beatitudes are defined as “Blessed are…”
b) Part that is governed by reason (passion, sentient appetite) - “Blessed are the meek’” “Happy/flourishing are the meek”
c) Part that is unresponsive to reason (vegetative functions such as digestion) - “Blessed are the merciful,” “Happy/flourishing are the merciful”
a) Moral Virtues - The Greek’s Bible’s makarios gives us the same meaning or idea of human flourishing
- Disposition to behave in the right manner and as a mean between extremes of and well-being.
deficiency and excess which are vices. - Makarios is regularly used as a synonym for the philosophical word “eudaimonia”
- Courage and temperance (especially important to Aristotle) which connotes happiness, peace of mind, joy, the
b) Intellectual Virtues state of the truly good life or human flourishing, or fullness of earthly life.
- Governs ethical behavior and understanding which is expressed in scientific  6 Components of Well-being (Pathways of Happiness) by Carol Ryff
knowledge.
- Wisdom Psychological Well-being
2. Survey goods we desire - Personal growth
- External goods (wealth, fame, honor) - Self-acceptance
- Goods of the body (life, health, physical strength) - Autonomy
- Goods of the soul (virtue, knowledge, education, recreation) - Environmental mastery
 How do we Achieve Happiness? - Positive relationships
a) Intelligence/Knowledge - Purpose in life
- Practical wisdom: Deliberate well that is good and expedient for oneself -
- Temperance: Restraint with regards to pleasurable activities
- Generosity and friendship
- Courage
- Reflection on eternal truths
b) Value of Material Goods
c) Pursue Happiness, Not Pleasure
- Remember that joy is deeper than happiness
- Pleasure leads us toward bad acts and a lack of self-control
- Pursue virtues such as knowledge, courage, and temperance not pleasure such as
sex, money, and the like
 What is Human Flourishing in the Biblical Perspective?
- The concept of flourishing in the Old Testament is best described as the word “shalom”
- Biblical scholars implies several meaning:
- Salvation (community)
- Entirety (justice)
- Integrity (well-being)
- Level-headedness
- Righteousness