2007-03-20 09:33:34 · 19 answers · asked by joxer 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
It's quite obvious that money does not intrinsically bring happiness. It's easy to imagine scenarios where any amount of money is pointless - a person trapped on a desert island, for example, or among people who won't accept it.
On the other hand, valid money is almost indisputably a form a power. And power can make things happen. So even if money can't DIRECTLY bring happiness, the number of ways in which it can INDIRECTLY bring happiness is limited only by one's imagination and the societies which accept it.
Even those who argue that true happiness comes from within, or from honest relationships, or from religious experience will have trouble denying that money can help bring all these things. Enough money frees you from any number of activities which might distract you from obtaining any of these things (work, food preparation, etc, etc). Enough money can usually acquire the expertise of others which can assist you in getting any of these things. And sometimes enough money can buy a close enough facsimilie to the real things that you can't tell the difference.
So no, money will not make you intrinsically happier. But the proper application of it is almost certain to make you happier than you otherwise would have been.
2007-03-20 10:21:05 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor Why 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends what we spend it on - the things you spend money on could bring you some happiness - I mean like experiences not material goods. Utlimately money does enable us to do certain things which can lead to experiences that we are less likely to have without it. but people with lots of it are often still unhappy, so really its about a happy balance - but I think we have something to do with it ourselves - I mean money can help, but only if you know what you can use iy for that will allow you to feel happy, and hopefully to allow that happiness to continue (eg money can often only bring short fixes of happiness that cannot be sustained). When it comes down to it it really is more about you as a person. Obviously if you are poor and struggling you have alot against your strength to feel happy - being better off though will only help a bit - the rest is really up to you.
2007-03-20 16:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by Gobbolino 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
money is to be spent. Invested, saved, but ultimately spent. If I counted on it for happiness.... then that would mean I am ultimately depending on that which I can buy with said money for my happiness.
Money could be exiting and new and make me happy for a while, especially if I'm doing something fruitful with it. But this would fade quickly. So yeah.... money brings me a happiness that is temporary and all dried up. It does not bring with any kind of eduring hope-filled joy. It can never fill the void. Only God can.
2007-03-20 17:57:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. Some people have all the money in the world and are not happy. It does help to get some things to make you feel better but it definitely is not a guarantee for happiness.
2007-03-20 16:56:17 · answer #4 · answered by livewire 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes sometimes it does. I can honestly say that i'm in highschool, and i used to work sometimes 40hrs a week,at a job i hated with a passion and i missed out on alot of stuff but on payday i was very happy. i would count my money whenever i would think about quitting. eventually the boss ticked me off too many times and i quit. i got more free time but i can't say i'm happier.
2007-03-20 17:16:15 · answer #5 · answered by cowtrasher 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To an extent.I think there should be at least a little happiness to start with to enjoy the money.I come from a pretty poor family,so money means alot to us.
2007-03-20 16:37:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It might not bring happiness, but it would at least reduce the level of stress!
2007-03-20 16:44:40 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
absolutely not..i have that...my wife and me are "HEART" orientated...i am retired us army...combat 3 times...i want happiness more than money...i am closer to poor than rich and do not care...i am happy...27 years same wife...same lady i learned to love..most folks cannot say that...they are still searching ...i searched 27 years ago and won the battle...not a finer lady...no offense to anyone...thanks for asking ...good luck
2007-03-20 16:44:31 · answer #8 · answered by Michael K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no money would not im a happy person without money
2007-03-20 16:41:01 · answer #9 · answered by lmm32193@sbcglobal.net 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Money is a poor substitute for happiness, but as far as poor substitutes go, it's one of the best.
2007-03-20 16:38:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋