In contrast to other philosophies or religions, Taoists do not regard happiness as a goal. Why? Because they view happiness as a side effect of leading a virtuous life, not as a goal in itself.
Neither Lao-Tzu, Yang-Tzu or Chuang-Tzu employed the term “the pursuit of happiness” in their writings. They would have found such formulation incomprehensible.
The fact that Taoists do not pursue happiness does not mean that they do not consider it important. On the contrary, every piece of advice given by Taoist masters aims, indirectly, to the achievement of happiness.
However, I must underline the word “indirect.” All ancient Chinese Taoist texts refrain from promising happiness. Their avowed objective is the alignment of one’s actions with the Tao under the assumption that such an alignment will automatically lead to happiness.
In his works “Nicomachean Ethics” and “Eudemian Ethics,” Aristotle (384-322 BC) ended up designing a path to happiness based on the same intellectual equation.
If we do what’s needed, ethically and strategically, we’ll get to a point where happiness is automatically achieved, Aristotle argued. Lao-Tzu would have agreed with Aristotle’s formula, but not with its implementation. Why not? Because the concept of virtue in Aristotle does not match the Tao Te Ching.
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