What is Happiness?

I guess that there is something about my old philosophy class that sparks a lot of inspiration and thoughts in that adolescent little brain of mine. We had so many conversations about an array of controversial topics. This one was not as much controversial, but it really got me thinking.

If you were to die tomorrow, would you have lived a happy life?


Before evaluating any question, you have to understand what it's asking. In this case, the word "happy" can be taken in many different ways.

hap·pi·ness

 noun \ˈha-pē-nəs\

1

obsolete : good fortune : prosperity

2

a : a state of well-being and contentment : joyb : a pleasurable or satisfying experience

According to Merriam-Webster, happiness is generally associated with "pleasure." But in this case, I am asking about a more fulfilled "happiness."Something more like the Greek word eudaemonia, "the state of having a good indwelling spirit, a good genius" or "the highest human good." In fact there is an entire branch of philosophy based on this concept (I might touch on this some other time). I feel that the true happiness that we seek is summed up in the concept of eudaemonia.

This question can be answered in a series of categories: fulfillment, love, appreciation, and acceptance.

Fulfillment: Did you live your life to the fullest? Did you take every opportunity you could and soak up everything you could in life? This concept can best described by one of my favorite quotes from Titanic by Jack Dawson, "I figure life's a gift, and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count." When you're hands are frail and your heart weak, you'll be able to look back at your life. You'll remember that spontaneous trip to Ethiopia, that exhilarating sky-diving adventure. Take every opportunity you can.

Love: I'm a strong believer that love makes the world go round. If you love yourself, love your family, love your friends, and love your fellow man and neighbors, then your life will be so much better! There would be peace in the world and endless community service.

Appreciation: It's when we take things for granted that our lives go astray. It is vital that we understand that our lives are a beautiful gift, and treat it accordingly.

Acceptance: People have to learn to accept their lives. There are some things that cannot be changed, and some time it's vital to let them go. Not to say that people shouldn't change things, change is great, but people need to be at peace with their lives and their choices. Don't live a life of regrets, just accept life and learn from your mistakes.

In essence, I think that fulfillment, love, appreciation, and acceptance are the four keys to leading a happy life. Sure, I'm young, but in my eighteen years of life I think that I have been able to live a pretty happy life. How about you, what makes a happy life?

Sources: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/194966/eudaimonia

Eternal Pleasure - A Type of Suicide

My senior year of high school I took an intriguing philosophy course. I adored soaking up the beliefs and ideals of philosophers throughout the ages. One philosopher, Robert Nozick, proposes a thought experience called "The Experience Machine."

He attacks the belief that pleasure is the only experience that we want. He asks the reader to imagine a machine that can stimulate a person's brain to imagine experiences that one cannot separate from reality. He asks the reader if we would prefer the machine to reality. He proposes that people would not choose the life of the machine for several reasons.

1. We want to do things to do them, not just to have the experience of doing them.
2. We want to be a certain person.
1. If we are in a tank and our actions are outlined for us, who are we? 
3. Plugging into a machine limits us to only man-made situations.

This particular situation has always intrigued me, and it goes back to a situation in The Matrix when Cypher wants to go back to his ignorant bliss rather than live in harsh reality.

"You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy, and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize? Ignorance is bliss."

In a way ignorance is bliss. Many of us wish to be a smiling-laughing-child once more, with no worries. A sad day was one in which someone stole our lolly-pop. But at the same time, there are so many lessons that we learn during each moment of our lives. And trading any of that for an ignorant, blissful life is a type of suicide.