THE CONCEPT OF HAPPINESS IN EASTERN PHILOSOPHY
Keywords:
Happiness, Eastern Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Virtue Ethics, Enlightenment, Interconnectedness.Abstract
This paper examines the philosophical understandings of happiness as conceptualized in Eastern and Western traditions. It delves into their historical trajectories, key tenets, and cultural underpinnings. While Western philosophy often associates happiness with virtues, rationality, and individual autonomy, rooted in ancient Greece and Enlightenment ideals, Eastern traditions emphasize holistic well-being, interconnectedness, and spiritual enlightenment as seen in Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Through a comparative analysis, the study highlights how these perspectives converge and diverge in addressing the human pursuit of happiness. Finally, it reflects on the contemporary relevance of these philosophies, proposing an integrated view that bridges cultural divides and enriches the understanding of happiness in an interconnected world.
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