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For example, in the preamble to the US Constitution we read: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Here, POLITICALLY, we see that it's believed that happiness is a right granted to all men by the Creator/God.
PHILOSOPHICALLY, Aristotle defines happiness as an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, emphasizing that the function of a human being is to live a certain kind of life that involves rational activity. This rational activity, when performed excellently, leads to happiness.
RELIGIOUSLY, St. Thomas Aquinas, a philosopher and theologian, asserts that true happiness can only be found in the knowledge of God, arguing that no worldly good or pleasure can provide the ultimate satisfaction humans seek.
The concept of happiness in the Gnostic Gospels, is the idea of gnosis, or direct knowledge of God. According to Gnostic doctrine, the pursuit of gnosis leads to a profound transformation and realization of one's divine nature. This process is seen as the ultimate form of happiness, surpassing the physical and material world. The Gnostics argue that through gnosis, individuals can achieve a state of enlightenment and liberation from the constraints of the physical realm, thereby becoming as divine as Jesus himself. This belief system challenges traditional Christian notions of salvation and the nature of Jesus, suggesting that the physical resurrection is not necessary for achieving eternal life and that true resurrection occurs through the attainment of gnosis.
What are your views on what happiness is, and how do you go about getting it.
Thanks!
Here is a song from a Musical, which sheds some light on an opinion of what happiness is, as seen through the eyes and touch of "cat people."
&list=RDMM&index=6
In my opinion....Happiness isn't something which we can manufacture, you can sit and meditate 'til the cows come home but there are no guarantees. It seems to be a fairly random event which occurs, often when you least expect it. We can put ourselves in situations which mitigate in favour of 'happiness', live in a nice place, be with the person/people that we love, but you can still wake up feeling hacked - off sometimes, and then reach a state of extasy when you're making a cup of tea. Deeper forces seem to be at work, our subconscious is always about it's business, and over that we have little or no control. I also think that a state of happiness isn't very useful in terms of getting stuff done, any more than is being miserable; we function best when in a state of emotional neutrality, and I imagine that being 'happy' all the time would get very boring, and probably irritating to those around us. We are complex creatures, happiness being but one part of the complexity, and sometimes I can feel great when I'm being miserable, so that takes some sorting out...
Just thoughts, on this early Indonesian morning, I'd be happy if anyone disagrees with me.
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@Indonesia-Phil saidYou have touched on some points of what is not happiness. For instance, to you, being happy all the time is not happiness.
In my opinion....Happiness isn't something which we can manufacture, you can sit and meditate 'til the cows come home but there are no guarantees. It seems to be a fairly random event which occurs, often when you least expect it. We can put ourselves in situations which mitigate in favour of 'happiness', live in a nice place, be with the person/people that we love, but ...[text shortened]... out...
Just thoughts, on this early Indonesian morning, I'd be happy if anyone disagrees with me.
You also describe a state of feeling happiness which can coexist with other feelings which are not happy.
You have also gone past the initial question, which is "what is happiness?" You have touched on motivation, and how happiness can, or can't influence our motivation in getting things done.
You also say that happiness is something that we cannot manufacture, and are implying that it's a rather random event which we should never expect. To me you are implying that happiness, whatever that may be, is not to be pursued?
There's no argument on our being complex creatures, and that happiness may be a complex feeling, or a combination of feelings which may also be very subjective. As they say, "whatever makes you happy!"
Does love make us happy? Those who love money are said to be happy when they have plenty of it. How does money make them happy?
Wishing you happiness, I disagree with you on emotional neutrality as always being the state of mind which is one where we function at our best. No doubt there are situations where emotional neutrality brings out the best, at times.
P.S. Yours is good productive contribution to the thread.
@PettyTalk saidWhat is Happiness?
For example, in the preamble to the US Constitution we read: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Here, POLITICALLY, we see that it's believed that happiness is a right granted to all men by the Cre ...[text shortened]... the eyes and touch of "cat people."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdBVJbzkoqo&list=RDMM&index=6
Happiness is toying with an all but defeated tournament opponent as you consider exactly when to drive the stake through his chest. 😏
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@mchill saidAre you playing chess with vampires? Whatever makes you happy!
What is Happiness?
Happiness is toying with an all but defeated tournament opponent as you consider exactly when to drive the stake through his chest. 😏
Did Jesus address happiness in the sermon on the mount?
Perhaps happiness is just a blessing?
@PettyTalk saidThe terms “happiness”, “joy” “blessed” “peace” (and others) are all used but interchanged in the Bible across testaments, books and translations. It is therefore difficult to excise one of them without considering the other references.
Did Jesus address happiness in the sermon on the mount?
Perhaps happiness is just a blessing?
@PettyTalk saidGrizabella gets her wish in the end, though.
For example, in the preamble to the US Constitution we read: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Here, POLITICALLY, we see that it's believed that happiness is a right granted to all men by the Cre ...[text shortened]... the eyes and touch of "cat people."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdBVJbzkoqo&list=RDMM&index=6
@PettyTalk saidNo.
Here, POLITICALLY, we see that it's believed that happiness is a right granted to all men by the Creator/God.
Your error here is the same error people make regarding scripture about "money" being "the root of all evil."
Just as the root of all evil is not money itself, but the LOVE of money, so also it is not "happiness" that is a natural right, but the PURSUIT of happiness.
Big differences.
@PettyTalk saidAre you playing chess with vampires? Whatever makes you happy!
Are you playing chess with vampires? Whatever makes you happy!
Did Jesus address happiness in the sermon on the mount?
Perhaps happiness is just a blessing?
It's called humor. 🙄