I don't have a lot of money, but I wanted to know if money is the real cure for happiness.
2007-09-09 15:43:13 · 34 answers · asked by no name 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Money can buy material things that can make you happy, but money alone cannot. The richest man could have everything in this world that could make him happy, and he would never be. I am not sure if you are familiar with the King Midas story, look it up if you don't! That's one of the classic examples I can think of.
Everything he touched was turned into gold. He touched everything in his palace, trees, cutlery, and everything he could think of, but he couldn't eat. He was very rich but he was starved. He had a hunger that was both metaphorical and physical...he was hungry; hungry for the food that would satisfy him as well as hungry for happiness.
In short, money is a tool that paves a person's way, a thing that helps to solve problems. A person who is wondering if s/he would have food to eat the next day could not pass to the next levels to get to complete happiness.
I hope that helps!
2007-09-09 15:48:03 · answer #1 · answered by Kairi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Money is used to buy things that people think will make them happy and also security that allows them to enjoy life more but happiness is priceless and not in itself a *commodity* that can be bought or sold.
As a tool wealth can be wielded to create beauty and joy, which in turn inspires happiness but the money is only a tool, the means not the end in itself.
When the quest for money makes people lose sight of this simple truth they often squander their opportunities for true happiness in the passion of greed to have more. Mishandled money often causes more harm than good.
2007-09-09 15:53:55 · answer #2 · answered by Lazarus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it really does not. While it can buy a lot, and indeed can bring you short term happiness, it can not keep you happy.
Consider this...
You decide to buy a lottery ticket, it wins, you collect the largest ever jackpot at 500 million. Clearly cash is of no concern to you. To celebrate you decide to throw a great party at Disney World.
While there the worst hurricane ever anywhere decimates the area and all your friends and relatives perish. You survive.
It is not likely you will have the same fondness for money that you had imagined before acquiring it allowed you to be responsible for putting those most important to you in the circumstances that ultimately led to their demise.
2007-09-09 15:52:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it won't buy happiness but it sure can relieve stress....I was laid off and now worried about losing my car and apartment so.....I would be happier if I had some right now!! But I don't need to be rich -- all I want is to be able to pay my bills and have a little fun sometimes. Right now, without money, I can't do either.....I KNOW people with a lot of money (who do not share by the way) and they are unhappier than I am even in the situation I'm in so......
2007-09-09 15:48:53 · answer #4 · answered by butterfliesRfree 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Money can buy many things but not everything. What I am saying is money is a good thing and not a bad thing. Make money serve you and the other way round. Happiness is being contented with what you have, treasuring people you love and even blessing people with what you have.
2007-09-09 16:13:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is more to happiness than money. Let me put it to you this way: my husband's step-dad is the richest and smartest person I know.
~ He has 5 cars, including a $86,000 Cadillac XLR, and several classics.
~ He has a million dollar house with 5 bedrooms, pool, and hot tub on a full acre of land.
~ He owns several businesses
~ He has millions of dollars worth of stock.
But he is miserable. Because he mad a mistake, and married my mother-in-law. She has done alot for me, but I have to admit; she is a self centered, bi-polar, hypochondriac, psycho, controll freak, nut job who is NEVER happy. My father in law could have all the money in the world, and it would never make her happy.
You just have to be careful who you trust. If you surround yourself with people who really love you, and will do ANYTHING for you (and vice-verse), you will be happy. Get rid of those negative people who only take, and never give!! You dont need them, and they will only bring you down. Just make sure you dont accidentally turn into what you are trying to avoid.
2007-09-09 15:56:30 · answer #6 · answered by Brenda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Money buys things, happiness comes with contentment. Some people actually have more problems when they have sudden wealth. Look at the Lotto winners and many celebrities. Don't get me wrong, money can be a good thing also, but you need to curb your appetites .
2007-09-09 15:48:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Happiness has nothing to do with money, and yet money seems to be chasing happiness all over the place; just make sure to get out of their way, that's all.
2007-09-09 16:46:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
People are unhappy when they cannot solve a problem. Money lets you solve problems. Money also gives you freedom...as in not having to work for 40 years in a cubicle. Wouldn't being free to do what you want when you want make you happy? Thus, if money can buy you freedom, then it can buy you happiness.
If you use money to buy things (like shoes or televisions or cars or whatever) and you think that buying and owning things will make you happy, then no, money cannot buy happiness.
If you use money to solve problems and give yourself freedom, then yes, money can buy happiness.
2007-09-09 15:48:08 · answer #9 · answered by Mike J 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Money could make you happy to an extent, such as buying the clothes, makeup, car, things that you want, but when it comes down to it, the things you want doesn't equal up to the things you actually need, such as love, and friends, and you can't buy love or friends, so I guess the real answer is no.
2007-09-09 15:46:41 · answer #10 · answered by Hannah! 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋