What is the meaning of life? How should I feel when faced with a calamity? Professional thinkers, philosophers, have probably already asked themselves this question before and have formulated theories that help us to put things into perspective and find a new dimension with which to shape our thoughts. Take note of these 5 theories to think better and find a way to live your day to day life to the fullest.
Epicurus and the search for happiness through tranquility
This Greek philosopher of the 3rd century BC considers that happiness is the fundamental objective of human existence. We are probably in the historical moment that best fuses with this theory; individuals constantly pursue happiness in all areas, from personal relationships to work.
However, Epicurus’ theory was far from the constant waste and hedonism that we practice today.
For him, Happiness was finding peace and this is understood as true happinessbeyond the exalted emotions of joy. To find this peace, it is necessary to eliminate the fear of death and, consequently, of the future. Only in this way, pain is eliminated, which is the main enemy of happiness.
Maria Zambrano and the way out of ignorance in search of answers
The philosopher María Zambrano, born in Malaga in the 20th century, preached that human beings should emerge from ignorance and ask questions, convert their feelings into rational thoughts and engage in an active search for answers.
Only in this way would consciousness develop and he would enter into philosophical creation. Once his desire to think was awakened, his thought would evolve to reach poetic reason, which is based on finding each person’s own path in life.
In this sense, The Malaga native claims that each individual is born incomplete and uprooted from the world, without finding a real connection with the environment that surrounds him.However, through searching for one’s own path one’s existence becomes more complete and one’s understanding of the world is more perfect.
In other words, Living itself is the meaning of life. To do this optimally, the philosopher admits that it is necessary to take into account reasoning, our ability to think and to ask questions.but also feelings, emotions, our dreams, metaphors and all that subtlety that calls poetry.
The ultimate goal of human beings, he explains in his work Philosophy and Poetry, is to discover their own truth, to emerge from their uprooting and to achieve freedom through continuous transformation.
Camus and the meaning of life based on the absurdity of existence
This philosopher dealt with the proximity of death from an early age; first from tuberculosis and later from his participation in the Second World War.
Camus leads a current of existentialism, which questions the meaning of life and concludes that our existence is absurd. This is because human beings try to find meaning and purpose in life, in the face of a universe that is indifferent to them.
Through a pessimistic perspective, Camus nevertheless draws a positive lesson. If our existence is absurd, then instead of asking questions of the universe, it is better to focus on finding a purpose for each life individually.
To live a life worth living, the philosopher determines in several works, such as The Stranger, that it is necessary to focus on the present life and not the eternal one, to fight against vicissitudes and to live with passion, loving what we do.
Plato and reflection to reach the World of Ideas
Plato is one of the greatest philosophers in history. One of his teachings on how to live a full life was coined through the fable Phaedrus. In it, a rider has to tame two horses, one wild that lets itself be driven by its instincts and pleasures, and another that is noble and lives a virtuous life.
This dichotomy is what governs human existence, but only by finding a balance between a virtuous life and an emotional one would one achieve a state of satisfaction and happiness, according to the philosopher.
To do this, he highlights four skills that must be followed, Temperance to find balance, courage to face difficulties, prudence to learn from mistakes and justicebecause a person is only happy if his or her actions contribute to improving the lives of others.
The Greek also emphasizes that, to be happy, we must strive to leave the world we perceive, the sensible world, to reach the World of Ideas.or the Good, an immutable and unique reality for all.
This search for the Good, which he explains in the myth of the Cave, which he publishes in his work The Republic, would help us feel fulfilled and happy and escape the chains of our human limitations.
Maslow and the prosperous life to be happy
Satisfy hunger, thirst or Resisting the cold plays an important role in the pursuit of happiness and only once basic needs are met can humans address more existential issues.
According to the contemporary American philosopher of the early 20th century, Abraham Maslow, there is a pyramid of needs that are “unlocked” as each person’s personal situation evolves favorably.
This, published in Theory of Human Motivation, is classified into five levels, namely: The first level is that of physiology and is concerned with covering basic needs such as hunger, hygiene or sleep.. Once these are met, the human being would turn to the level of personal security, that is, seek strategies so that neither he nor his family nor his property are violated.
The third level is that of affiliation, since The human being has an eminently social condition and requires affection and intimacy with others.The fourth level is that of social recognition; the search for success, feeling admired and fulfilled.
Finally, The fifth level is self-realization, which involves the development of the abstract mind, where we ask ourselves questionswe lean towards morality, open our minds to prejudices and achieve a more just social conscience.
Maslow’s philosophy reflects the inequality of the world; Humans cannot fully develop in poverty and only those in a privileged environment can access the highest levels of satisfaction. Once each level is reached, however, well-being is achieved, since we do not know anything else and it is limited to our possibilities.
Thus, one is not happier than another who is at another stage of the pyramid, as long as he has not suffered a decline. For the philosopher, the path to happiness is linear and can be obtained by trying to live a prosperous life with humanistic ethics.
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Tags: Free time, Happiness, Psychology, Work