Is Moral Behavoir Necessary for Happiness?

For this essay this paper will be discussing the subject of moral behaviour and if it is necessary for happiness. The view that this paper will reflect and focus on is that “moral” behaviour is not absolutely necessary to be happy. To fully comprehend the topic in question we must look at the definitions of morality and happiness. Moral behaviour is subjective in the sense that what may seem right to one person may not seem right to another. Happiness is also entirely subjective due to the fact that what can make one or some people happy might not be the case for others. Examples will be given to demonstrate the fact that moral behaviour is not necessary for happiness. To be blunt the matter of the fact is that there are many people out there who have not acted “morally” in the slightest and yet are very happy in their lives.

When we think or speak about morals we automatically think about right and wrong. Oxford dictionary defines morality as: principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong. Moral badness consists in doing everything for one’s own sake, moral goodness in acting for the sake of the noble, i.e. for the sake of others and without paying attention to one’s own interests. (Aristotle’s theory of moral insights; p.38) So moral behaviour simply put is doing the right thing that will benefit others over you. This being said, what people see as the “right” thing to do is completely subjective. Meaning that for example what you may see as right, might not seem right to another person. This is dependant on the person, in terms of their personality, the way they were brought up, as well as how they think.

Happiness is an adjective, something that describes how we feel. It is a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that can last for any amount of time, from a minute to a year to your entire life. In the case of this essay though, most likely it is referring to one’s entire life span. Happiness can come from any aspect of a person’s