Introduction
Human happiness is an important topic that has been discussed for millennia, with philosophers along with ordinary people trying to find the key to this feeling. While some people consider true happened coming from the inside, others believe that it comes from the outside environment. Similar to the philosophers of his time, St. Augustine defined happiness as the condition everyone covets. However, unlike hedonists, St. Augustine put emphasis on one’s soul and spiritual connection with God to be happy rather than material goods and body.
Discussion
St. Augustine had his perspective on happiness and believed that every person yearned to feel happy. However, in his writings, he emphasized the following: “You want to be happy; look for something better than your soul itself” (Arandia 55). With this, he wanted to show people that material objects will not lead to true satisfaction and, instead, the person should find something more meaningful. Another point made by St. Augustine is that “better is He who has made heaven and earth; He it is whom you are to behold and possess” (Arandia 56). Therefore, the author claimed that happiness exists within every person and God is there to navigate them. I agree with this thought and think that in pursuit of happiness, one should focus on what is genuinely valuable to them.
Conclusion
Hence, St. Augustine, in contrast to hedonists, stressed the importance of one’s soul and spiritual relationship with God in order to be happy rather than worldly possessions and body. If a person desires to be happy, they should search for something bigger than their soul, he highlighted in his works. He intended for this to serve as a reminder to individuals that worthwhile pursuits should come before material possessions if they are to provide lasting fulfillment. I concur with this idea and believe that in seeking happiness, one should prioritize what is truly important to them.
Work Cited
Arandia, Marcos. Competing Visions: An Introduction to Moral Philosophy. U.S.: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2015.