Can another person's unhappiness ever mean my happiness? (Do please support your answer with your reasoning)

Answer 1

I almost had the answer ready in my mind to this Q but then I read one of the answers again (by I'm not that smart) and felt quite satisfied by what was projected. However, there is one or two things that I would like to add only to express my feelings on the subject.

No human soul on this earth would feel happy by achieving something at the expense of somebody else's loss although it is a fact that it is not possible to keep everybody pleased at the same time. How-so-ever one may be cautious, we by our actions sometimes inadvertently if not often enough do hurt people's feelings while seeking our pleasures and goals. Many a times in trying to protect or support someone dear unjustifiably we have to ignore somebody else's true plight or misery. Reversly, sometimes we do stand-up for unknown person's just cause and hurt our own dear ones. In both such cases, one feels justified for happiness to one and the self, however achieved and has to simply ignore the unhappiness experienced on part of the other party.

But I still think and of the opinion that true happiness is one which makes everyone concerned happy, eventually.

Thanx for a lovely Q... u deserve a star

Answer 2

Example: "Your question just made me very unhappy because I did not know the answer - so you made me unhappy because I am lacking knowledge."

Therefore in the above example, it is evident that a person can be unhappy only if they, themselves, are lacking, and if you neglect to help them, then you have allowed them to be unhappy with themselves. Now why would you be happy about that?

Common experience implies that this happens all the time. Let us determine why - Suppose an unhappy person's apparent inferiority to you brings you happiness, then what a selfish motive you have! - If you really want to be better than others, then with an equal eye you must assume everyone wants to be better than you, and this will likely include many whom you could never equal, let alone excel. This will lead to the necessary conclusion that everything in the universe is conspiring for your damnation. How can you be happy with that? So this sense of superiority is occluded by the innate superiority of everything combined, and this sort of 'self' wishes only removal from such a hell.

Obviously if it is your goal that everyone should be blessed with all the excellence you know [and more] then this happiness from being superior is transmuted into happiness that all can have that same joy. With an equal eye this vision of the universe implies also that the universe having this capacity in you, must be some how pervasive and this implies that everything is conspiring for your joy and happiness. This, of the two, for the wise, is the preferred and proffered self.

So which self you seek, the self seeking, or all seeking truth universally, determines whether or not another's unhappiness can make you happy in such a case as above.

Now there is another example from which the wise and experienced draw upon, and that happiness comes from overcoming sadness, and in this case they are glad for difficulties, and hardships, sorrows and miseries of the world, because those whose struggle and overcome all things, seek this same in others.

Again it is not the sadness, or misery which make these wise ones happy, but the knowledge in them, and the encouragement from them to others, that they will overcome their anguish, that make them exceedingly glad.

In sum only lying and selfish people can be happy at another's sadness, unless they already know that sadness will transmute into even greater joy.

To sin literally means to be lacking, strive to overcome your lack and help others do they same.

God bless.

Answer 3

It happens all the time; there are winners and losers, in competition, in life. Someone's happiness at winning means someone will be unhappy as the loser. It doesn't mean we feed on the unhappiness of others, but rather unhappiness happens, at one time or another, to all of us. Like the old saying: " One man's loss is another man's gain".

Answer 4

How to be happy of a person's unhappiness? This needs a heart of stone! I don't mean I will cry for everyone who's in bad shape, but I won't make me happy for myself because I'm well off and he's not???

Answer 5

Can't speak for you personally, but Schadenfreude, i.e. joy at another's suffering is common enough to have it's own word.

Just as love allows up to enjoy the success of others, so hate allows us to enjoy the failure of others.

Even if you define happiness by the stricter definition of joy at fulfilling ones purpose, if you see your purpose as bringing anothers downfall, it seems fairly straightforward that one could find happiness by creating unhappiness.

In a very real sense this is the nature of life. For every meal you've had, something had to die. In a sense the happiness of our continued existence, comes at the expense of unhappiness of existences we have ended.

Answer 6

Of course. When you win and someone loses, your happiness is somebodys unhappiness.

Why do you think management wants win-win scenarios?
Because win-lose situations are counter productive. Take for instance a promotion within the workplace. Is there going to be a problem with an otherwise hardworking , normally cheerful and happy worker with zero to 1% absenteism when he or she is denied this promotion?
I dont even have to ask, didnt I? Yup.
Next thing you know this stellar performer is now calling in sick, slacking in work, and "just like the other unmotivated spokes in the production wheel.

Answer 7

I try this too. each and every now and then i do no longer know something and that i think of that i'd desire to keep in mind that to later ask on Yahoo solutions. regrettably an excellent form of the time i'm forgeting it till now i'm getting residing house

Answer 8

Your joy and happiness have nothing whatsoever to do with anyone or anything except you.

If you try to make your happiness dependent upon something or someone else, you will fail to find joy and happiness.

Happiness is a choice and a state of mind. You shouldn't allow anything to interfere with the choice of being happy or joyful.

Answer 9

What makes you happy anyway? Whether someones unhappiness will make you happy or sad ultimately depends on that, I think.

Answer 10

I try not to base my happiness on other peoples moods or feelings, as I have no control over anyone else. Its simplier to just have my own happiness, or unhappiness.