Final answer:
True, both the wise and the many agree that happiness is the ultimate goal of life, but there is a fundamental disagreement on what constitutes happiness. Different philosophies and schools of thought offer varied perspectives on happiness, whether it be rooted in virtue, material wealth, or the divine. The question of what happiness truly means continues to be a complex and debated topic in philosophical discussions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The wise and the many agree on the name of the end- happiness- but they disagree about what happiness means' suggests that there is a consensus on the importance of happiness as a life goal. However, the understanding of what constitutes happiness varies widely among individuals and cultures. In philosophy, this concept has been debated extensively, with different schools of thought providing their own interpretations of happiness.
For instance, Boethius, in his work, suggests that true happiness is not found in material possessions or high stature but in virtues such as wisdom and in the divine nature of God. The ancient Greeks, such as Aristotle, argued that happiness (or eudaimonia) is the ultimate goal of human life and is achieved through living a life of virtue. Contrastingly, Enlightenment thinkers introduced the idea that material wealth could contribute to happiness, opposing the mercantilist mindset that wealth is finite. They proposed that wealth creation was possible and that it could improve happiness.
Moreover, utilitarian philosophers like John Stuart Mill emphasized the greatest happiness principle, stating it is better to be a dissatisfied human than a satisfied animal because the pursuit of higher pleasures contributes to one's well-being. However, utilitarians also faced challenges in measuring happiness and its contribution to moral decisions, as evidenced by the dilemma of creating a national park at the expense of economic development and displacement, which could result in different impacts on human happiness.
The pursuit of happiness and its meaning remains a central topic in philosophical discussions. The contrasting views reflect the inherent complexity of defining happiness, which encompasses both subjective well-being and objective life conditions. As such, happiness is recognized as a multi-faceted concept with material, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions, making universal agreement on its meaning elusive.