What Is Happiness ?

[Professor K]

Just remembered about some problematics I had in philosophy class on the topic of happiness.
So I'll write some of them below, you can choose one or multiple.


*What is happiness?

*Does happiness consist in not desiring anything?

*Does pleasure lead to happiness ? (hedonism)
(and then are all pleasures equal?) (utilitarism or epicurism)

*How should we live, should we look for happiness?
*Should we follow an ideal?

*Does happiness exist?
*Does it matter?

There's so much to say

 

[Pluto]

 

[ForgottenAgain]

I'd be interested in knowing your answers to those questions, since you had philosophy classes.

I think my answers would be:
Q: "What is happiness?"
A: A momentary feeling of contentment that can make one smile. I also think happiness may not be momentary as one can feel consistently content with life and therefore happy.

Q: "Does happiness consist in not desiring anything?"
A: I don't think so. I think having dreams and desiring things can fuel happiness as it gives you some goals, purpose.

Q: "Does pleasure lead to happiness?"
A: I'd say yes.

Q: "Are all pleasures equal?"
A: No, I think certain pleasures can be destructive like drugs for example.

Q: "Should we look for happiness?"
A: I ponder this myself as I don't know how I should live. All my life I've answered "yes" to this question though.

Q: "Should we follow an ideal?"
A: I'm not sure, what ideal?

Q: "Does happiness exist?"
A: Based on my experience of life, yes. I was happy in the past so I know it exists.

Q: "Does it matter?"
A: I think this question is related to the "Should we look for happiness?" question. If one is looking for happiness, then it does matter, if not then I guess it doesn't matter. Personally for me, I think it matters as I don't know what other purpose in life I should follow if not for pursuing happiness

 

[Chex]

not being any emotion other than happy

 

[uglyugly]

I don't know, but I do know happiness is still a heightened state, at least for me. I'll take contentment over happiness any day of the week. Contentment is so much calmer. I define it as not needing or wanting anything and am just at peace with the moment at hand. It is one of my goals to be content before I die as I equate it with being at peace.

 

[lamargue]

socially inherited placeholder term for something closer to contentment

 

[vauhmit]

it's not very strong