Must we choose one or the other, or is it possible to do both?
2007-03-08 15:08:36 · 17 answers · asked by mr cheese 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Truly a beautiful question.
To live a life of happiness is to live a life of hedonism. Alwasy being engrossed inthe themes that pleasure you most. Not giving a moments thought to the negatives in life before over shadowing them again with your insatiable desire to forever be Happy and in a state of absolute Euphoria.
However to live a life of meaning, is to live a life of passion. Passion...painfully yearning and pursing and achiving some ideal or object in your life. To live a life of meaning is to live a life of both happiness and sorrow of both struggle and victory.
To do both---would be ideal...but one or the other would lead to down fall and turmoil or a life with ups and downs viewed in a way that only the conqueror can understand.
Truly a beautiful question.
2007-03-08 15:31:55 · answer #1 · answered by Ask a Health Nut 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You should balance happiness and meaning out. Your life could mean nothing and you can be happy, or the other way around. Your life has meaning but you are not happy with it. Do something in your life that has a lot of meaning and will bring about your happiness. If you can not do that something, then you will have to search for it. But sometimes it isn't the easiest thing to find.
2007-03-09 07:17:06 · answer #2 · answered by Twigg313 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe a life can have meaning and be happy. Why not? You shouldn't have to choose between one or the other. Why not have a happy, meaningful life?
2007-03-09 13:19:45 · answer #3 · answered by Ronnie C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
True meaning is consistant and ongoing
happiness is temporary and very fleeting
Interesting that the founding fathers chose the wording withinn the Constitution that they did when they used the phrase "pursuit OF happiness"
So, my suggestion here would be for one to center on the solid foundation of Meaning for their life and then enjoy happiness as they have the good fortune to encounter it !!!
2007-03-08 15:23:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A life of happiness is devoted to oneself, focusing inward, where as a life of meaning is more often focused on achievement(s). It is completely possible to achieve both. Find something you enjoy doing that either helps others or adds meaning to their lives in some way.
2007-03-08 16:00:04 · answer #5 · answered by How2be 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Happiness in its true sence comes from internal, the external happiness last very soon and the mind required repeatation which always not practicaly possible. The true happiness comes from inside by developing self sences through love.
2007-03-09 04:35:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A life without a right meaning cannot be happy. Happiness is a bye-product of rightfully meaningfulness.
2007-03-08 15:18:57 · answer #7 · answered by Tiger Tracks 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is possible to live a life of meaning with happiness. To me that is the same as "works without faith". God has a purpose and plan for all of us and I don't believe he wants any of us children to be unhappy.
2007-03-09 04:57:34 · answer #8 · answered by Mary S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is possible to do both. Everyone says money doesnt buy happiness but a lot of rich people (people with meaning) are happy so I reckon you can have both
2007-03-08 20:30:06 · answer #9 · answered by angellover6056 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think that if we have the meaning of life in our life then we have found what true happiness is.
2007-03-08 15:19:37 · answer #10 · answered by Terri 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋