Michael Gilliss

University Honors with Honors in Philosophy and Religion

Major: Philosophy and Religion

Supervisor: Matthew Eshleman, Philosophy and Religion

Finding a Philosophy of Happiness

All of man’s efforts directly or indirectly aim toward one goal—happiness. Many allege to know the path to happiness. Countless philosophical, religious, and psychological disciplines exist for the sole purpose of bringing man happiness. Most every philosophy and religion purporting to lead man to happiness tell him to either accept or change some aspect of his life in order to become happy. These two principles: acceptance and change are seen as being necessary to the acquisition of happiness. Epictetus, a first century Stoic philosopher tells man to do both—accept that which you cannot control and change that which you can. Krishnamurti, a modern day Eastern philosopher, tells man to do neither. By juxtaposing these intriguing and seemingly conflicting philosophies, I’ve come to the conclusion that acceptance is just another effort to change. Change is the result of happiness, not the cause.