2007-07-15 11:24:47 · 9 answers · asked by guru 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I would make a distinction between pleasure and happiness and 'contentment' can fall on either side of that distinction.
The desire for pleasure and its pursuit often brings unhappiness. Happiness (or the other contentment) can come from a denial of pleasure or sometimes an unexpected pleasure (which is different than pursuing pleasure)
I like Sartre's quote: "Happiness is knowing that you do not necessarily require it to be happy."
2007-07-15 13:58:09 · answer #1 · answered by megalomaniac 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I like Webster, They seem to show all works as different and the synonyms that surround it. You get clear picture of the outline where one word ends and another begins. Content is contain, enough. Happiness is say more than enough. You could possible be content but not that happy. Happy can come in degrees also. More then that is research to get down to it more accurately.
2007-07-15 14:10:53 · answer #2 · answered by hb12 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good question. I think they are both pretty much the same.
Can you be content and unhappy at the same time? I'd have to say yes. A person can be content with a certain aspect of their life, but still be unhappy about their life, in general, for any number of reasons. For example: A person could be financially well set, but be married to someone they're not in love with. The person is content and satisfied with their financial situation, but unhappy and discontent with their marriage.
2007-07-16 18:14:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a difference in degree. Contentment is being satisfied with the current state...happiness is a little more than that - you're more than satisfied, you're actually pleased with the current state. It's like the difference between a grade of C and a grade of B (satisfactory vs. above average). *s*
2007-07-15 12:54:40 · answer #4 · answered by Julianne 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I see them as different, though not by much. Contentment being at peace with something, though not necessarily happy with it. While happiness would be a point where you are happy with what ever it is as compared to apathy or contentedness.
2007-07-15 11:30:42 · answer #5 · answered by Kwiatek 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think being happy is a little more than just being content...
being content is like just being satisfied with what you have..but happiness is having a little more
2007-07-15 11:29:23 · answer #6 · answered by *~Simplymyself~* 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see them as somewhat the same thing where it is happiness that contributes to contentment and may be something of greater or lessor degrees, contentment follows accordingly.... so... they must be essentially the same.
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2007-07-15 11:29:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different, in my opinion.
I don't know how they were intended to be different, but to me, content always felt calmer than happiness. :)
2007-07-15 11:29:00 · answer #8 · answered by A.R.K. 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
slightly different, but I have neither, so what do I know.
2007-07-15 11:27:23 · answer #9 · answered by s_e_e 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋