Three Perspectives on Happiness, from Ancient to Modern: Aristotle, Adam Smith, and Martin E.P. Seligman

Abstract

This dissertation employed Ernest L. Boyer’s scholarship of integration by synthesizing Seligman, Aristotle, and Smith’s literature to discuss what constitutes happiness, a good life, and how to apply Martin Seligman’s framework to achieve these objectives. The dissertation will also discuss how happiness was defined during the Aristotle era and how happiness is measured in contemporary society and societal perspective toward individual economics and happiness. This integration is especially necessary for studying humanities, which I used to understand the past and its influence on the present. Understanding our past encourages us to appreciate the present and work with others to establish productive and positive future systems. Thus, increasing our understanding of what it means to be human in the age of technology.