THE CLASH OF THOUGHTS: HOW ABŪ ḤĀMID Al-GHAZĀLĪ AND BERTRAND RUSSELL DEFINE HAPPINESS

The interpretation of happiness and the method to attain it may vary from one individual to another. Happiness by itself is subjective, which entails the individual’s perception on happiness to change according to the respective situation.  Literature on happiness is vast and often updated as it is enticing to explore multiple guidance in attaining true happiness. Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī was a classical scholar who initiated the thought of spiritual happiness in Islam, in which he discusses methods to attain happiness for Muslims. On the other hand, Bertrand Russell is a European scholar from the modern era who discusses the factors of happiness and unhappiness in individuals. This study aims to descriptively discuss the happiness approach according to both scholars. The data collection method used was content analyses of the scholars’ works to decipher their perspectives on happiness. Comparative method was also applied to identify the similarities and differences in their thoughts on happiness. The finding reveals that the differences in thoughts between them are inevitable as both scholars hailed from different eras and their assumptions were based on contrasting epistemologies. However, similarities are also observed as it is human nature to share common characteristics of happiness. Moreover, the differences and the similarities in their eventful background have provided significant revelations in their thoughts about happiness.