Exploring Consciousness, Freedom, and Happiness
Consciousness: Origins and Levels
The first anthropological root in our analysis comes from the Latin conscientia, cum scientia, meaning “knowingly.” Awareness is presented as an inner voice. Consciousness is the mental status contrary to unconsciousness, encompassing mental functions related to reasoning and understanding. It is a broader, global term, capturing the relevant, sometimes hidden, sense of reality.
Levels of Consciousness
- Sleep: The lowest levels of consciousness occur during sleep, varying with each stage.
- Vigil: A higher level of awareness, ranging from half-sleep and daydreaming to full lucidity.
- Intellectual Intuition: Maximum consciousness levels, potentially arising from psychological pathologies or spiritual practices like meditation, suggesting higher levels of the human mind.
- Ethical Awareness of an Ideal World: Moral consciousness, involving an overall value assessment of the world.
Historical Evolution of Freedom
In Greece, freedom was a legal-political concept, defined by not being a slave. Fate, whether divine or cosmic, justified social distinctions. Socrates viewed absolute individual freedom negatively, as it could lead to anarchy. Early Christianity emphasized freedom as inner consciousness. During the Middle Ages, freedom was often confused with free will. The Renaissance and modern age questioned freedom’s existence, criticizing metaphysical principles. The Enlightenment, with Kant, recognized freedom’s moral character. From the nineteenth century, the Greek political meaning of freedom resurfaced. The debate continues into the twentieth century.
The Ethics of Happiness
All ages and cultures have been concerned with human interests, emotions, and obligations, including happiness, virtue, pleasure, justice, and the good.
Happiness as Eudaimonia
Greek ethics is often teleological and hedonistic. Actions are measured against a theological order. Eudaimonia, or happiness, is associated with virtue. Happiness involves developing ethical virtues and exercising phronesis (prudence).
- The person surrendered to delights obeys laws out of fear.
- The wise and virtuous person participates fully in civic life, guided by prudence.
- The wise person leads a contemplative life focused on wisdom.
Happiness is achieved through virtuous actions, with prudence helping to control passions.
Happiness as Pleasure
Epicureanism, developed by Epicurus of Samos, identifies the virtuous man with the happy man. Happiness is achieving the highest degree of pleasure, characterized by the absence of physical suffering and mental disruption. One should seek satisfaction of natural and necessary desires, considering the consequences of each action and pursuing quiet, peaceful, and moderate pleasures.
Happiness as Utility
The pursuit of happiness is the ultimate goal. Pleasure (physical, intellectual, or moral) and the avoidance of pain define happiness. The useful is equated with the good, as it increases happiness. Individual utilitarianism can lead to selfishness, necessitating the “principle of happiness”: actions must ensure the greatest happiness for the greatest number of individuals.