2006-11-24 09:54:16 · 16 answers · asked by lolipop 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Simple answer... Of course
Complicated answer... Depeding on the level of "not happy' will depend on the definition you give. A good example is by Dr Suess. There is one where a charecter is sitting on a cactus. A boy asks him why he is doing it and he says why not. The boy replies because it hurts. The charecter goes on to explain why it only hurts if you think about it hurting and even then the hurt has to be judged by other hurts around you.
Can you define happy if you are not happy. Of course. Will it be the right definition.. For some people yes.
Happiness to one person may be swimming in the ocean.
To a person afraid of sharkes the same level of happiness may be reached at a lake
To a person afraid of fish the same level of happiness may be reached at a pool.
To a person afraid of water, they would all be wrong..
yet NONE of those answers are wrong.
2006-11-24 14:43:23 · answer #1 · answered by Texas Tiger 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Everybody's been happy at some point, doesn't matter what exactly for. Of course happiness is not forever, but sadness isn't either. And even if you've been happy it's hard to define hapiness because it's different for the different people. So it's too particular.
2006-11-24 10:29:08 · answer #2 · answered by milena_cub 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes anyone can define happiness even if they are not happy at the moment who has experienced happiness even once in their lifetime...
Define happiness: How about being peacefully satisfied is happiness!...
2006-11-24 10:38:23 · answer #3 · answered by Staci 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it would be the opposite of what you are expieriencing when you are sad. Psychologically no you wouldnt, then its called depression and your mind would not be able to comprehend happiness or even that a better life is even possible. Thats why many depressed patients receive anti depressants which are mostly inhibitors of chemicals in our brain so we feel happy again. By the way Seretonin is the feel good chemical in our brain the more is released the better we feel. So if we inhibit the uptake of other chemicals to strengthen the concentration of seretonin in our brains we will feel happier.
2006-11-24 10:01:30 · answer #4 · answered by AlexTT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think u can still define happiness even if u are not..yeah cuz like the other person said--u still have a desire 4 it, and know what want..so, yeah..but then again..people who are like, always happy may have a more accurate or vast definiton/perspective on it.
...dag ..u know what, this is a really tough question btw...
but then again..if u've never been happy in your life.and dont know what will make u happy or whatever..then i guess in that case u really cant compose a meaning for it......damn thats deep...
2006-11-24 10:06:12 · answer #5 · answered by k_ Misteeg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As was brought out, you can define it, you just can't relate to it. For someone who isn't happy it is an illusion, or an enigma. Happiness, the great mystery.
2006-11-24 10:51:29 · answer #6 · answered by nicky 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A sad person can define sadness. I feel lonely, I feel trapped, I feel as if I have no future, etc.
The opposite of these feelings is happiness: I feel I can relate to people, I feel I have freedom, I am optimistic about the future.
2006-11-24 10:20:24 · answer #7 · answered by ben w 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes because you can define happiness by what you want in your life to make you happy.
2006-11-24 10:04:21 · answer #8 · answered by Ellen 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
happiness is relative, so...say if I was a depressed person talking to a shrink...I could define "happier" events or mindset etc... In the end...even a happy person....may be able to be happiER, but he/she need to be?
2006-11-24 09:58:49 · answer #9 · answered by baron_von_sky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lack of happiness may cause a desire for it. Hence since you desire it, you are at least partially aware of what you want. Thus u know what you are looking for, you know happiness.
2006-11-24 09:57:21 · answer #10 · answered by martin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋