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The Concept of Happiness Discussed from Philosophical Perspectives at the Philosophy and Happiness Symposium

A symposium titled “Philosophy Symposium 3: Philosophy and Happiness” was held under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Örsan K. Öymen, a faculty member in the Department of International Relations at the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences. Bringing together academics, students, and participants with an interest in philosophy, the symposium explored the concept of happiness through its historical and ethical dimensions.

The opening speech of the symposium was delivered by Prof. Dr. Örsan K. Öymen from the Department of International Relations of our University. In his presentation titled “The Concept of Happiness in Philosophy from Antiquity to the Modern Age”,  Öymen examined the transformation of the concept of happiness from Ancient Greek thought to the present day and shared different philosophers’ perspectives on the subject with the participants.

Then, Prof. Dr. Kaan H. Ökten from the Department of Philosophy at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University discussed the relationship between happiness and morality through Immanuel Kant’s philosophy in his presentation titled “Happiness Is Not Good in Itself: Kant’s Critique of Eudaimonia.” Ökten examined whether happiness alone can be regarded as the ultimate goal from a philosophical perspective.

The final speaker of the symposium, Asst. Prof. Dr. Saniye Vatansever from the Department of Philosophy at Boğaziçi University, evaluated the relationship between virtue and happiness in Kant’s ethical understanding in her presentation titled “Kant’s Highest Good: The More Virtue, The More Happiness”. Vatansever highlighted the importance of moral conduct in the pursuit of a good life.

The symposium offered a rich intellectual platform by exploring different interpretations of the concept of happiness across the history of philosophy.