This is in line with my other questions. A Stoic would say that "pain and pleasure befall the good and the bad a like, without making the person better or worse. So those things cannot be in and of themselves good or bad," and that we should therefore, not pursue happiness, but only truth. Also, the truth sometimes leads to pain, but is still worth pursing not matter how much pain can be avoided, by ignoring it. What do you think is the truth all there is, does everything else come in a distant second? Is happiness as important?
2007-03-11 15:37:53 · 24 answers · asked by michael H 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
'Beauty is Truth, Truth Beauty -
That is all ye know on earth and all ye need to know'
Keats, Ode on a Grecian Urn
2007-03-11 16:53:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Arthur Schopenhauer happiness is an entirely negative notion, namely the absence of suffering, of obstruction of the Will. Happiness in the form of complete satisfaction of the Will is impossible since the striving of the Will is limitless. In Schopenhauer's view the Will with it's limitless striving is the source of all suffering, and the pursuit of happiness, of absence of obstruction in the Will's striving is a way of acknowledging the Will. For Schopenhauer the only 'good' is denial of the Will, which can only be reached in death after an ascetic life. So according to Schopenhauer the answer would be 'No'.
2007-03-12 17:40:59 · answer #2 · answered by Lullemanskut 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First part of your question depends on your moral framework for defining GOOD. If, by definition, happiness makes you feel good, then its a good thing (perhaps!).
But regarding the pursuit of happiness? Happiness (just like pleasure, enjoyment, fun....) is a concept we use to encapsulate our motivation to survive as a species. We cannot avoid pursuing happiness. If we did we would be less than human. I think the nearest you can get to a happiness formula is to play the hand you've been dealt.
2007-03-13 15:32:44 · answer #3 · answered by Mancotter 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, here is a thought experiment to show why:
Suppose being a rock star would be the one thing that would make you most happy. It is your life-long goal/dream. But you seem to be lacking in talent and your career prospects dim. However, I have some good news for you; I have an experience machine. You will be hooked up and believe that you are the greatest rock star, just liked you hoped for, except in a machine. Ready to sign up?
If happiness is in end in and of itself, then you should hop right in. If you are uneasy getting in the machine, then it shows that we seem to care about more then just happiness.
2007-03-12 02:52:24 · answer #4 · answered by humorist_4_u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I think you cant pursue happiness. I believe that when you feel Happy about anything it is like a karmic tonic a reward if you will for the pain that is felt of human emotions everyday for things such as racism, death etc. happiness can be found anywhere but can be only felt when you deserve it.
2007-03-12 18:43:09 · answer #5 · answered by kissaled 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is a good thing, but it is a bad thing as well. For good puts us at once in the worlds of relativity and confirms for us we are in and part of a universe of duality.
Therefore, 'good ' tends to instability. It, too, tends to irony and dichotomy. Happiness, like sadness, it is a mercurial thing.
Should it be pursued in and of itself?
Short of knowing that which both sadness and happiness have in common, it may or may not be plausible to do so.
What is best to pursue, however, is their most common denominator -- Joy.
2007-03-17 23:34:07 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you know ;there are so few good thing.s in the world today.i be live we need to grab any thing that.s good. you are right the truth. all ways lead.s to pain.i have found out over the year.s. there are three things ;you can try to achieve.1 to love some one.and they return the love.2 to find a job that you enjoy doing. 3 a friend that you can count on. happiness i hope will take care of it.s self.
2007-03-11 22:49:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Happiness is a good thing, but it can't be achieved by pursuing it. It can only come as a byproduct of living an unselfish life, which by definition precludes the pursuit of personal happiness. The more you pursue it, the less you accrue it.
2007-03-11 22:44:32 · answer #8 · answered by RE 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My answer is yes. The pursuit of truth is foremost. The truth I pursue for my life is the truth of the Bible and what God's purpose and plan are for me. Simply stated, it is to live for God and for others, an unselfish life, as one other person put it here. From that, one receives joy.
In other words, follow the truth of the statement that "It is not about you."
2007-03-11 23:44:08 · answer #9 · answered by Bob T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the truth shall set you free. life is sopposed to be good, it's hard to explain that, because life sucks for so many people and it shouldn't if one powerful person feels like they've lost control in some aspect of their life, millions will suffer because of it. keep people from the truth is the object of the world's super powers, fearful people are easily controlled. the truth leads to happiness without it life doesn't exist.
2007-03-16 00:06:55 · answer #10 · answered by lifeoutsidethecircle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you pursue happiness, you're not happy, you're just pursuing happiness. BE happy, and there is nothing to pursue. If you're looking for objective truth, you could be in for a lengthy journey. Simply attempt to notice what is true for YOU.
2007-03-13 16:17:21 · answer #11 · answered by Todd W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋