Is Happiness unattainable?

Question

Each of the philosophies that I have reviewed in Eastern and Western culture overlook an important aspect of attaining happiness. Each ignores the role of ethics, morality and guilt as the largest factor inhibiting or preventing us from happiness.

Do you agree -- happiness can be achieved by resolving guilt?

Answer 1

Your idea is very 1960`s.

I think it is a false idea, because to act in accordance with your conscience (thus avoding feelings of guilt and shame) is essential to feeling content.

Answer 2

I disagree, you can be guilt free and still unhappy. Just ask the wife who's husband insists she cheats when she does not. She has no guilt yet happiness is shaded by the constant accusations.
Happiness is merely a positive attitude projected outward, when we choose to think the glass is half full instead of half empty. Over and over again when I see unhappiness, it's the negative attitude that is projected.
Resolving guilt may change your attitude and outlook on life, it may help you become more positive and therefore happier but resolved guilt will not achieve happiness.

Answer 3

You should read Robert Nozick's "The Examined Life" specifically chapter 10 on Happiness. Nozick was one of the greatest philosophers of our time; he wrote extensively on happiness in this book. He does believe that happiness is very much attainable but should not be the focus of life. He argues that truth and reality are the main goals in life. For example: it is more important to know that your spouse is cheating on you (thus becoming unhappy) than to be unaware of this (and be happy). As for his idea of happiness it is as follows.
3 types of happiness emotion: 1st being happy that something(s) is the case. 2nd feeling that your life is good now; 3rd being satisfied with your life as a whole.
Each of these will exhibit the general threefold structure that emotions have: a belief, positive evaluation, and feeling based upon these.


To attempt to answer the rest of your question about ethics interfering with happiness; my answer to you is utilitarianism. Utilitarianism states that the ethical decision is the one that creates the greatest good for the greatest number. This includes but is not limited to your own happiness. Utilitarianism states that you should do things to make yourself happy but at the point where you would only be marginally happier you should make someone else happy instead. For example Owning 1 television may make you happy, owning a second and even a third may increase your happiness but if owning a fourth, fifth and so on, only slightly increases your happiness then the ethical thing to do is to use the money to increase someone else's happiness such as donating it to the World Hunger Relief Fund.

Note: Utilitarianism and Noziks theory on happiness are not related but I mentioned them both because I felt it was necessary inorder to properly your question.

Answer 4

I beg to disagree with you, quru. Indeed said: Jesus on morality - it is the kindness in the weak while Nietzsche said: morality is the bravery of the strong and Plato says it is the effective harmony of the whole. Indeed if these three doctrines are to be combined, we may have a perfect ethics.

But i agree with you that guilt must be resolved and cleansed first before happiness wihtin you is perfectly attained without a remaining trace of any ingredients of whatsoever of guiltness to one's feeling.

Answer 5

I believe happiness is certainly attainable though it may not be constant. I've also found that understanding and embracing one's own humanity, and thus humanity at large, increases its attainability. This is not to say one needs to accept one's own mistakes or the evils humanity does, without question or challenge. In fact, opposing them increases one's self confidence, contributing to happiness. That requires a considered code of ethics (which incorporate morality, without any need for religion). But the idea of guilt is inappropriate, and I believe a hangover from religious paradigms in which it was a tool for manipulation through self-flagellation. I suggest you might look at Buddhism more closely. After dismissing it in my youth as nihilistic paradigm (in 19thC European translations much influenced by Christianity) I rediscovered it in middle age through Tibettan monks, along with psychiatry of various kinds, and found it extraordinary in its insights, paradigm, and facility for training the mind, compared to more "supernatural" Abrahamic perceptions. The resolution of guilt is simple enough. It merely requires confronting a regret, learning from it, reflecting on its implications, and acting differently. Picking scabs never healed a wound.

Answer 6

Hi guru...

Other people often appear successful & happy so you may conclude you are the problem. Not so, in fact, institutions and social expectations determined your thoughts in your formative years and unless you have critically evaluated your concepts they have continued to determine your choices. It is as if you are sleep-walking though life. But when you understand your thought pattern is due to conditioning and you discover the social causes, you will be able to attain happiness, determine your future and achieve personal success.

Always remember that you always have choices and you create your own reality.

Peace

Answer 7

I prefer to use "in harmony" rather than happiness.
Guilt is just another of the useless & self destructive emotions, like hatred, jealousy, anger & envy. They aren't entities in themselves, & to feel them--& to the extreme--become obsessed by them--is a certain path to misery in oneself, & others.
Morality isn't an absolute, as the definition of morals changes within times & cultures. I believe it's very important to be true to one's unique moral compass.
No, "happiness" can't be acheived simply by "resolving" guilt.

Answer 8

Children hold the secret to happiness. It is easily stolen from them but once stolen dooms the thief to a miserable existence. I defend the inner child in each of us.

Answer 9

I think for a majority of people the question is what makes them happy

We live in a consumption culture where he belief is that in order to make our selves happy we have to keep consuming and keep up-to date with the latest gadgets, fashion, and whatever else that is expensive.

My idea of happiness is spending life with someone you truly want - for me nothing could make me happier.

Answer 10

These are all human concepts. Happiness, ethics, morality, guilt... these are all human interpretations. In other words; it's all about how YOU want to interpret them.