Szczęście człowieka jako problem filozoficzno-psychologiczny na przestrzeni dziejów

Abstract

The issue of happiness as the subject hasn’t been quite popular in psychology, sociology. Now it is becoming the motive of considerations and empirical studies. Human happiness theme is present in many philosophical considerations, although it should be noted that the understanding is diverse, multi-threaded, divergent and often extreme. This situation makes the establishment of criteria and set in order philosophical theories on happiness appears to be very difficult task. This article presents selected theories on happiness from the history of philosophy, with reference to issues of contemporary psychology of happiness. Reference was made to the oldest philosophical thoughts of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. Drew attention to the hedonistic pleasures theme by Aristippus, Epicurus, as well as extremely different view of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas and Spinoza based on the assumption that the source of happiness is God. It also presents issues of focus on one’s own well-being by Hobbes and the importance of utilitarian value. Opportunity to explore the knowledge as the greatest happiness of man was the result of the dynamic development of science. With regard to the pessimistic trend in the philosophy of Schopenhauer and Sartre issues of unhappiness considered as inherent in human existence. Aspects of philosophical issues were enriched with issues of psychology. Reference was made to the structural model of Czapinski and empirical researches on determinants of individual happiness.