When Happiness Became an Art

Today, happiness is considered essential to a good life—but Western society hasn’t always seen it that way. The idea of personal happiness has evolved over thousands of years, shifting from a moral ideal to a measurable state of wellbeing.

Ancient Philosophy: Happiness as Virtue

In ancient Greece, thinkers like Aristotle defined happiness (eudaimonia) not as pleasure, but as living with virtue, wisdom, and purpose. The Stoics—including Seneca and Epictetus—taught that happiness came from inner peace, not possessions or power.

The Middle Ages: Happiness Beyond Earth

During the Christian Middle Ages, happiness was linked to divine union rather than earthly satisfaction. Theologians such as St. Augustine believed true joy awaited in the afterlife, while this life was a test of faith and obedience.

The Enlightenment: The Right to Be Happy

In the 18th century, Enlightenment philosophers reframed happiness as a human right. John Locke and Thomas Jefferson championed the “pursuit of happiness” as a cornerstone of liberty, while Jeremy Bentham argued for “the greatest happiness for the greatest number.”

The Modern Era: Psychology and Wellbeing

By the 20th century, happiness became a focus of psychology and science. Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers linked it to self-growth, and today’s positive psychology—pioneered by Martin Seligman—explores gratitude, resilience, and purpose as paths to lasting joy.

A Modern Understanding

From ancient virtue to modern wellbeing, the Western search for happiness has mirrored humanity’s evolution—from serving the divine, to understanding the self. In the 21st century, happiness is no longer seen as luck or luxury—it’s a skill, a practice, and a shared measure of a healthy society.