THE EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF HAPPINESS IN PHILOSOPHY

Abstract

The concept of happiness has occupied a central position in philosophical inquiry since antiquity. Different philosophical traditions have interpreted happiness in various ways, linking it to virtue, pleasure, reason, or personal fulfillment. This article analyzes the historical evolution of the concept of happiness from ancient Greek philosophy to modern ethical theories. Through comparative philosophical analysis, the study examines how understandings of happiness have transformed across different intellectual periods. The findings indicate that although definitions of happiness vary, the concept consistently reflects the human search for meaning and well-being. The evolution of this concept demonstrates the dynamic relationship between ethics, culture, and human nature.