The Quest for Happiness: Medieval Perspectives for Our Future: Philosophical and Literary-Historical Investigations

Abstract

Human life makes sense only if the individual can achieve a certain degree of happiness. In order to address this topic in an insightful and effective way, this paper turns to a selection of medieval literary narratives where the focus specifically rests on happiness that an individual might achieve when the circumstances and the ideals are right. As human beings, happiness does not simply come into our lives, at least not for adults. Instead, much intellectual education is required to gain the ability to distinguish between self-created meaning and relevance and alien control and enslavement as expressed in fake happiness. Hence, this paper intends to outline some preliminary thoughts and present literary and philosophical material from the Middle Ages where the issue of happiness has already been examined and discussed from various perspectives, inviting us to revisit them for our learning experience today and tomorrow. Since ancient times, philosophers have investigated the true meaning of happiness, offering the results of their experiences and insights. In order to reinvigorate the discourse on happiness, this paper draws from late antique philosophy, medieval verse narratives, and German literature from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including a modern-day movie. The quest for happiness has been ubiquitous, and it continues to matter for us universally across all cultures. The Humanities by themselves might not bring about happiness, but they certainly offer important perspectives toward the meaning of human life, individuality, the sense of community, communication, and compassion, all of which pave the way toward happiness.