Kant believes that there are three kinds of happiness in life, which come from different sources and have different properties and meanings. The first is "hedonistic pleasure", which refers to the pleasure from sensory enjoyment and material enjoyment.
Secondly, "happiness" refers to happiness based on personal character and inner goodness. Finally, "happiness with dignity" comes from following conscience and moral standards to realize self-worth.
Enjoy happiness is the most direct and easy to understand. It comes from material and sensory satisfaction, such as delicious food, comfortable environment and pleasant sensory experience. But this kind of happiness is often short-lived, and excessive pursuit may lead to greed and emptiness.
Happiness is deeper and more lasting than happiness. This kind of happiness is based on a person's inner character and spiritual pursuit, and comes from the cultivation and perfection of a person's good moral character. When people feel the happiness brought by their own values and morality from the heart, this happiness will be more profound.
Happiness with dignity is the noblest and purest happiness. It comes from the realization of self-dignity and self-worth brought by following conscience and moral standards and making correct choices and behaviors. This kind of happiness is not only at the individual level, but also closely related to the moral and ethical values of the whole society and human beings.
Kant's three views on happiness make us think that the happiness of life is not only a single-dimensional experience, but also a diversified, profound and internal and external practice. These three kinds of happiness do not exist in isolation, but are interrelated and influenced each other. In the process of pursuing happiness, we should think more about and pursue happiness that is truly heartfelt, lasting and can have a positive impact on ourselves and others.