X-Message-Number: 15871
From: "john grigg" <>
Subject: achieving happiness
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2001 06:47:28 

Thomas Donaldson wrote:
If sometimes you happen not to have any particular goal, then you won't feel 
happy, either. Among other issues, that makes the provision of happiness by 
one person to another something in which both parties must participate: it 
can never be done by one person alone. Nor could one person or institution 
give a right to happiness; at most it would be a right to seek happiness (or 
in other words, seek your own goals).
This latter point brings in different political systems, too: though the 
correspondence isn't perfect, a polity which allows its citizens to seek 
their own goals (seek happiness) would also be one which allows its citizens 
more freedom rather than less.
(end)

I agree having strong goals to work toward is crucial to happiness but I 
think there is more to it then that.  Science seems to be showing us that 
some people may due to the interplay of genetics and environment to simply 
have their "happiness thermostat" set much higher or lower then the norm.  I 
am not saying this is set in stone and yet it could be a great boon to 
someone or a curse depending on where it is set.

At a certain point I suppose if the thermostat is set too low then science 
can intervene in the form of antidepressants.  For some people they are 
quite simply lifesavers.

he continues:
A consequence of this viewpoint would be that no amount of technology
will bring us happiness, nor can we expect an understanding of
happiness to make everyone happy. What makes you happy will always
be the pursuit of YOUR goals, and those goals depend on many things
outside yourself. No pure psychology will tell us how to become happy.
(end)

I would say for the severely depressed individual who has had deep 
depressive symptoms alleviated, technology would to an extent have brought 
happiness.  Of course, medication with counseling is usually the best way to 
go.

I bet many extropian/transhumanists would say very improved technologies 
could certainly make them happy, insofar as it would greatly help them 
progress toward their goals. lol

Another thing to keep in mind is that living by one's core values and ethics 
is key to being happy and having self-respect/esteem.  I think this is a 
major reason so many people in our society are not as truly happy as they 
could be.

You mentioned how the best governments give their people sufficient freedom 
to pursue their goals and be happy in that effort.  I suppose the founding 
fathers of the United States had that in mind as they wrote a certain 
document... :)

best wishes,

John
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=15871