Is Happiness the Ultimate Goal of Higher Education?

N

97

Role of Education; Psychological Patterns; Higher Education; Religion; Philosophy; Cross Cultural Studies; Buddhism; Confucianism; Christianity; Non Western Civilization; Western Civilization; Foreign Countries; Educational Theories; Religious Education

South Korea; Canada

The purpose of this study is to explore whether happiness is the ultimate goal of higher education. In order to discuss this article systematically, four research questions are addressed. First, what are the concepts and principles of happiness in terms of religion and philosophy? Second, what are significant factors of happiness? Third, what are physical happiness and spiritual happiness? Last, is happiness indeed the ultimate goal in higher education? The research questions are defended through a descriptive analysis, with a cross cultural approach. As for the limitations of the study, happiness is focused on the lenses of the Eastern and the Western philosophical and religious aspects related to conventional higher education, especially South Korea and Canada. The Eastern aspect is limited to Buddhism and Confucianism, whereas the Western aspect is focused on ancient Greek philosophy and Christianity. Specifically, the study is mainly focused on not merely Buddhist Sutras and Confucius' and Mencius' classics, but Plato's and Aristotle's philosophical works and Christian "Scriptures" ("The Bible"). This article focuses on the notions and principles of happiness in terms of religion and philosophy. Lastly, higher education is focused on the lenses of South Korea and Canada. The significance of this study is to provide basic theories and useful resources regarding happiness for educational theorists and practitioners in the world.

As Provided

2023

ED626200