Michel Houellebecq: La possibilité du bonheur dans l'ère du vide

The aim of Houellebecq's novels is to exhibit the real problems of the twenty-first century society. These novels reflect the discomfort and alienation of the human being, and expose the individual of the twenty-first century to a subjective confinement that cuts him of the society. However, in this article we would like to examine the expression of a vision of happiness in Houellebecq's work - or at least what could lead to a possibility of happiness. It is possible to foresee a quest for happiness based mainly on two obvious influences in the stories: the writings of Auguste Comte, the father of positivism, whose explicit reflection permeates the texts of Houellebecq. On the other hand, Houellebecq's spiritual master, namely Schopenhauer, is evoked on many occasions. Apparently, these two philosophers have nothing in common, but it is possible to set up the source of the conception of happiness of the Houellebecquian narratives from both philosophies.