Dialogue of a Happy Life: What makes a good life?

At every stage of their lives, a lot of individuals want to live happy lives. Each of us has a unique idea of what constitutes a happy existence. Here, we'll examine how notions of a happy existence have changed throughout history, specifically in the pre-classical, classical, and post-classical eras. Three people share their opinions on the topic of "The Happy Life" in a roundtable conversation, including Thomas Aquinas from the post-classical period, Socrates from the classical era, and Gilgamesh from the pre-classical era. "I am saddened by the passing of my dear friend, who endured all of my hardships with me." Gilgamesh said. Socrates chipped in. “I think you should look at death differently; it is not necessarily a source of sorrow. In fact, when you view death as an opening and transition to a better life, you will see that there is a great reason to hope that death is a good.”

“I have been mourning over my friend's death for the last six days and seven nights. I did not want him to be buried until a maggot fell out of his nose,” said Gilgamesh.

"I am already having difficulties in trying to make you understand my position on death and happiness, The greatest source of joy of a human being is to discuss virtues and practice them on a daily basis," responded Socrates.

Thomas Acquinas who has been keenly listening to the two raised his voice and said, " Socrates, perhaps you should make it clear to Gilgamesh that the highest good of human does not lie in the attributes of the body such as beauty, health and strength for both good and bad men possess these features.

Giglamesh responded, " The joy that i got while in the company of my friend is what makes me oppressed and I have developed a great fear for death because it robs one of happiness.

"But Happiness is more than just being alive. Maybe, true happiness can even come from death because it is a state of unconsciousness and nothingness, the body will not be subjected to any suffering and the soul is not subjected to the knowledge and experience of hurt just like it is happening to you now.

“How can I stay silent, how can I be still!” Gilgamesh interjected.

“You can be calm when you compare the death to sleep that is disturbed by dreams and still look at death as an undisturbed night's sleep. Gilgamesh, the gains of death are far much more than those of being alive. Death can only calm the pains you are experiencing now", Socrates explained.

"I agree to that," Acquinas chipped in. " It is clear from what we have said that it is impossible for human happiness to consist in bodily pleasures, primarily in sex and food," he added.

"But my friend whom I love has turned to clay, he can no longer experience the bodily pleasures, how then can he find happiness in the state of clay?" Gilgamesh asked.

"Happiness is certain kind of good that is only appropriate to a man. Since brute animals also experience bodily pleasures of sex and food, we cannot assume that they too experience happiness", responded Acquinas.

"No, no, I do not believe that I think the only way to remain happy is to stay alive, I know of a plant that can turn an old man into his youth. I will take that plant to remain young and stay happy", Gilgamesh asserted.

Acquinas turning looked at Gilgamesh closely and said, " Are you happy now? Are you not the same person who is sad because death has taken your friend? Of what gain will it be to live many years and mourn your friends consistently as they die?

"Nothing in this world can give humans total happiness; even worldly power cannot because the joy derived from power is unstable, it is not permanent," Acquinas added.

Socrates supported that position and said, "No man, the private and the king can find happiness throughout his life just like no human can have undisturbed night sleeps throughout life. That is why I insist that to die is gain since the soul will remain undisturbed for eternity."

"Now you know that the ultimate happiness of man does not exist in external things like goods of the body or goods of fortune. Neither does it exist in the goods of the soul as regards its intellective part nor its sensitive part. Ultimate happiness is also not found in the intellectual virtues that are related to prudence and art. That leaves us with one conclusion, that joy lies in the contemplation of truth," Acquinas responded.

"What do you mean?" Gilgamesh asked.

"If you are a master of yourself, you will possess that which you never wish to lose, but when you know the truth that even that which you love most can be taken away from you, you will have happiness. Therefore, happiness lies in understanding and accepting the facts about life.

References

Acquinas, T. Summa Theologica. Retrieved from http://dhspriory.org/thomas/ContraGentiles3a.htm#30

Gilgamesh. Epic of Gilgamesh. Retrieved from http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/tab11.htm

Plato. Apology. Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html