Happiness as an aim of education

Abstract: This paper explores happiness as an aim of education, particularly schooling. What role does happiness play in philosophy of education? How do critics view the aims of public schooling today and its relation to happiness? Is happiness embedded in the concept of education as an aim of education? The paper explores happiness—understood inclusively as a positive mental state—by examining the relevant literature from various disciplines. It looks briefly at critical views of current trends in public school practice and concludes that happiness is not a central concern in present public school practice. Turning to philosophy of education, the author finds that happiness has been considered in relation to the philosophical conception of the human self and consequently eudaimonia has been prioritized over hedonia. The paper concludes by proposing that happiness is an appropriate and valid aim of education and schooling based on the normative implications of the concept of education.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Happiness as an aim of education ; volume:31 ; number:2 ; year:2021 ; pages:165-174 ; extent:10 ; Human affairs ; 31, Heft 2 (2021), 165-174 (gesamt 10)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Kallová, Nikola

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/humaff-2021-0014
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022111813532088851260
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:38 AM CEST