Flanag The Relationship Between Virtue And Happiness

What establishes a noble, valuable, enjoyable life? Many philosophers tried their own beliefs to these ancient and most persistent of philosophical question. Most of Philosophers have agreed that the best possible life is a life where the ideas of “virtue” and “happiness” are fulfilled. Nevertheless expected differences in terms, many great minds theorized that the road to a joyful, flourishing, happy life is paved with virtues. For example, Aristotle believed that anyone keen to live a virtuous life will reach happiness (Aristotle 1992). Also according to Roman Cicero, the bonds between virtue and happiness are very strong, that a virtuous person could still be happy even if he is tortured (McMahon 2006). In addition, Rosalind Hursthouse contended

According to Owen Flanagan, the answer is “Yes”, and it seems that the book can be treated as an answer to this question. Flanagan is unlike many philosophers who take Buddhist philosophy and Buddhism actively. In his last chapter, Flanagan observes the connection between happiness and virtue and their relations in its epistemology, moral philosophy, and metaphysics through a fair eye with western analytic traditions. Flanagan has highlighted the perception of the Buddhist belief of “happiness” as contrasting with the Aristotelian convention while stating the similarities on their treatment of the simple relationship between moral and rational virtues. He examined the checklist of virtues in both beliefs that are crucial for human to function well, “Nirvana” for Buddha and “Eudaimonia” for Aristotle. Flanagan contends that whereas Buddhism lacks the concept of justice in its list, Aristotle lacks the idea of compassion and

For example, self-control and endurance are two important virtuous qualities, however they may cause harm to a person or make him unhappy if practiced in wrong situations, for example, someone who endure in a corrupting marriage or proceed in a failing business. Likewise, a person who is courage can think of committing suicide. The lack of balancing your virtues like compassion, justice, morality and wisdom in these situations is certain to lead to the desire to die. Therefore, what is difficult appears to be deficient virtue not additional virtue. In addition, a person who values honesty and always speak the truth is a virtuous person, however, the same person might resort to lie in particular situations. Thus, when virtues involves in some personal pain, the idea of purpose or need become very important as it deeply depends on self-control. Self-control becomes extremely important when virtues entails stepping out from person’s comfort zone, here you can distinct a virtuous person from others. A virtuous person can control himself and abide to rules and morals whatsoever, while people with no self-control but claiming being virtuous might forget their morals and values in some situations.

In conclusion, I argue that there is a connection between virtues and happiness, however I have showed some situations that virtues may lead to unhappiness or confusion.