What is happiness is a tough question to answer but for philosophers they've debated these questions since the beginning. There are two basic views of how to solve the question hedonism and eudaimonia.
Hedonism has two objections.
1)There may be other intrinsic goods or values
2)What makes an action right is not based on pleasure; pleasure can be the result of doing right or wrong.
There are two types of Hedonism - Psychological (or descriptive) Hedonism: pleasure or pain alone motivates us. Normative or ethical hedonism: pleasure or pain apart ought to motivate us. What is right or wrong depends on the consequences, whether it produces pleasure or pain.
The hedonistic view is happiness is the polar opposite of suffering; the presence of happiness indicates the absence of pain. Because of this, hedonists believe that the purpose of life is to maximize happiness, which minimizes misery. But this causes a problem with hedonism since the impulse towards pleasure can be self-defeating.
Eudaimonia is suitable for human life and is the activity of soul exhibiting excellence. It is usually translated as 'happiness,' but Aristotle says it is 'living well and faring well.' Achieving the best conditions possible for a human being, in every sense–not only happiness, but also a virtue, morality, and meaningful life is eudaimonia goal. The difference between the two comes down to whether happiness is a destination (hedonic) or a journey (eudaimonic).
Happiness is, in a way, life. Just the same as happiness, the meaning of life is a question into the void. Citizen Kane focuses on the difficulty of life and its significance to the world. Many people sought the American Dream as an answer to this question. Anyone can come to America, and if they work hard, they will have happiness and fortune in their life regardless of their social class or background circumstances. Kane seems to embody the American Dream by having the best education and upbringing because of hard work. Kane turns the American Dream into an empire of media, but that empire became worthless. "Its inspiration was the life of William Randolph Hearst, who had put together an empire of newspapers, radio stations, magazines, and news services, and then built to himself the flamboyant monument of San Simeon, a castle furnished by rummaging the remains of nations. Hearst was Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch and Bill Gates rolled up into an enigma" (1998 Ebert).
You did a superb job with this post, thanks. I appreciate the exploration of the inspiration (Hearst and others) for the fictional character of Charles Foster Kane. Thanks for digging into the background of the movie. Also, I appreciate the richness of your discussion of hedonism and eudaimonia. Your informed approach contributes much to our class discussion. I hope everyone read you! Keep up the fine work.
I liked how you really went into detail when you explained what hedonism and eudaimonia. I also like how you talked about the American Dream and how it relates to happiness. You made a good point when you said that the essence of the American Dream is that if we work hard, then we can be happy.