Socrates’ View of Happiness in the Platonic Dialogues/ প্লেটোনিক সংলাপে সুখের প্রতি সক্রেটিস-এর দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি

Abstract

The thoughts of the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates opened a new horizon in the discussion of hedonism in the history of Western philosophy. Happiness was the main theme of the ethics discussed by Socrates in Plato's dialogues. Although Socrates' view of happiness is scattered in Plato's dialogues. According to psychological hedonism, happiness is the natural desire of humans. But Socrates believes that while humans naturally desire happiness, true happiness can be achieved through the practice of virtue. Socrates said that the key to happiness is to take care of your soul rather than focusing on bodily desires. By knowing one's own soul, one can realize the true nature of knowledge and live a virtuous life by having the correct understanding of good and evil. Socrates believed that to live a moral life, one should not be a slave to their emotions. Instead, one should control one's desires and emotions in order to follow the righteous path of life. In Plato's dialogues, Socrates does not hold a single view of happiness, but rather explains happiness from different perspectives in different dialogues.

           This research paper attempts to present a holistic view of Socrates' perspective on pleasure in some of Plato's important dialogues, such as Protagoras, Gorgias, Phaedo, Republic, and Philebus. And at the same time, this research paper also highlights how it is possible to live a happy life by performing righteous deeds on an honest path and gaining correct knowledge.