Isn't the condemnation of happiness absurd? (See details)?

Question

"But we do not say the words of cheer much any more. All smiles have become archaic [...] The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist: a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain. If you can't lick 'em, join 'em. If it hurts, repeat it. But to praise despair is to condemn delight, to embrace violence is to lose hold of everything else. We have almost lost hold; we can no longer describe a happy man, nor make any celebration of joy"
- Ursula K LeGuin -

pcheesewhiz: Yes, the idea that happiness is wealth is indeed absurd:

“To know you have enough is to be rich”
- Lao Tzu -

If you become attached to material things you will be devasted by their impermanence...

Answer 1

Yes, this is a powerful statement. I agree. I get so tired of seeing people piss all over anything that is good and right. It's true, being happy and whole is seen as unsophisticated. Isn't America so CLEVER these days with their cruelty?

I am in a bad mood this morning because of this...

Answer 2

It is the difference between Galatians 1: 16-22 and Galatians 1: 22-26. Personally, my favorite Psalm is 100. Make a JOYFUL noise before The Lord. Come to Him in PRAISE and thanksgiving. Etc. The world is so full of evil and sorrow because so many have turned way from The Lord. Romans 1 ; 18-32. But, the Messiah is coming again, soon, and all will be joy. Praise God.

Answer 3

I think that Western society now equates happiness with material possessions. A happy man is a wealthy man. Not many people have wealth and the wealthy are not necessarily happy. Happiness will not be found unless people begin looking inside themselves rather than outside themselves. I most certainly do not find all smiles archaic and cannot conceive of feeling that way. There is plenty of joy in this world if you are open to it. If however, you are going to buy into the western idea of happiness, you most certainly are going to have a dismal view of life.

Answer 4

Ah Ursula has always had a dark look on things. She's definitely one of the better Gothic writers. So condemnation of happiness is not absurd to those who are lost in depression or the evil of this world. Not saying it's right, but to them it's not absurd... it's the only way to survive.

Answer 5

Yes, but this is almost the whole basis of the Christian religion. In fact of almost all the religions based on Judaism. The world is to be regarded as inherently evil. Everybody is against us and the only happiness is to be found in serving God (religion).
That is the kind of crap religions teach. That is why simple heathens and general atheist and agnostic people can live such peaceful happy lives.

Answer 6

It really isn't as bad as that. I think that the author is exaggerating and in doing that, committing the same transgression she is talking about.
Another 2 cents: maybe misery is easier to describe, as people are not used to experiencing happy states? Happiness takes some training, you know ;)

Answer 7

This may be so but go out into the world and say a kind word or help somebody and see if it doesn't make you and them happy or a least a smile on our faces.

Answer 8

I am a Christian and I smile all of the time. I have laugh lines that have laugh lines. I do not believe God was an unhappy being. Why would he have given us the ability to laugh and smile (not to mention putting so many humorous situations around us) if he truly meant for us to walk around like zombies all of the time?

Answer 9

Yes. because most of what we see around us is evil. And well, get acustomed to it much and we start making into sick humor. So what is the meaning of true happiness.you can find it within.

Answer 10

Sadly, I think this is true. At my work we are "forced" under threat of our jobs to be happy and smile. I guess not many people can do it on their own.