The Philosophical Analysis of Happiness and a Critical Investigation of its Relationship to Goal-directedness and Meaningfulness of Life

The discussion on happiness، originated from Greek philosophy، continued in Islamic philosophy. The nature of happiness was thought to be a composition of cognitive dimensions and the emotional experience. This would conform to the modern definitions of delight in psychology. Considering the two levels of emotional happiness and spiritual happiness (using the terms bahjat and farah) in Avicenna’s discussions as well as a relationship between happiness and spirituality are among epistemological achievements of Islamic philosophy. In positive views of psychology such as Lamaism، the relationship between happiness and meaningfulness of life has become so close that happiness is introduced as the goal of life for all human beings and the main element of meaningfulness of life. In a deeper analysis، however، it is clarified that happiness is the effect of meaningfulness and not its cause. It may involve in meaningfulness of life when it is linked with spirituality and higher goals of perfection، and when it is considered as the fruit of such a link. The discussions on viewing happiness as the goal of life present just a formalism of happiness، considering its teleological dimension without considering the epistemological domain.