The Philosophy of Happiness from the Perspective of Luc Ferry: Toward a Secular and Relational Paradigm of the Good Life

This study offers a critical and theoretically grounded examination of Luc Ferry’s philosophy of happiness, positioning it as a contemporary alternative to dominant metaphysical and religious interpretations. Ferry’s approach is fundamentally rooted in a secular reconfiguration of the concept of “salvation,” whereby happiness is no longer deferred to transcendental promises but re-situated within the immanent conditions of human existence. The paper argues that Ferry advances a practical philosophy oriented toward everyday life, emphasizing the inherently paradoxical, unstable, and relational nature of happiness in late modern societies. Rather than conceptualizing happiness as a purely individual or hedonistic pursuit, Ferry frames it as a dynamic and intersubjective process shaped by human finitude, emotional vulnerability, and ethical engagement with others. Drawing on an analytical–critical methodology, the study systematically reconstructs Ferry’s theoretical framework and evaluates its relevance within the broader context of contemporary philosophical and socio-cultural transformations. Particular attention is given to key dimensions of happiness identified by Ferry, including love, freedom, knowledge, admiration, and meaningful action. The findings suggest that happiness, in Ferry’s account, emerges not as a stable or final state, but as an ongoing existential project grounded in relationality, ethical responsibility, and the conscious acceptance of life’s inherent limitations. This perspective contributes to the development of a secular and human-centered paradigm of the good life, offering significant implications for both philosophical discourse and interdisciplinary studies of well-being.