How did happiness become the standard for a morally good life?

[Verv]

I think it is always important to consider sources of happiness. I think, on some level, we have to all acknowledge this idea that happiness must have some depth, and it mustn't come back to bite you in the behind.

A person who indulges in drugs, alcohol or sex for a season may get terrible consequences from these in the form of debilitating disease or mental anguish, addiction, etc.

It's important to consider that our actions are resulting in a true joy and a wholesome happiness and not in a base pleasure.

Tap your inner stoic.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Happiness is more than just a feeling; it's a state attained and held for its own sake. When we're happy we're basically content; we're where we want to be, or more precisely we will in such a way as to continually attain the state of becoming we have. Aristotle conceived of happiness as the good of all goods. Now, just because you're happy doesn't mean that whatever character you have is worthy of emulation. The real task isn't with just being happy, because anyone can be happy even for a long stretch of time -- that's why happiness has the slightly ominous morpheme "hap", which means "fortune". The only way that you're going to move beyond happiness in this fortunate sense is through the development of character, character being how you condition your will in a habitlike way.

Beautifully put.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[fhansen]

In the past, and the present for that matter, theologians have taught that all people desire happiness; it's a God-given aspect of our nature. And, if we're honest, who can deny this, who, of sound mind, would want to be unhappy? So God, according to this teaching, has always wanted the same for man; He just knows what the true source of human happiness is, while Adam, OTOH, thought he would find it-or more of it- elsewhere.

Our true source of happiness, that which we often look for in all the wrong places, without ever satisfying it, and perhaps doing a lot of harm to ourselves and neighbor in pursuit of it in those places, is God, Himself. "God, alone, satisfies", according to Aquinas. We're here to begin to learn that lesson, to grow in it's understanding and practice until we're able, perhaps only ultimately in the next life, to freely and fully embrace the first commandment, best explicated by the Greatest Commandment. Then our happiness will be complete, in ways we never even imagined it could, all by licit, moral, and non-fattening means.

 

[Dave-W]

In the past, and the present for that matter, theologians have taught that all people desire happiness; it's a God-given aspect of our nature. And, if we're honest, who can deny this, who, of sound mind, would want to be unhappy? So God, according to this teaching, has always wanted the same for man; He just knows what the true source of human happiness is, while Adam, OTOH, thought he would find it-or more of it- elsewhere.

Hmmm. You have not surveyed Wesleyan Holiness theologians. They taught the exact opposite - if something made you happy it had to be sinful.

 

[fhansen]

Hmmm. You have not surveyed Wesleyan Holiness theologians. They taught the exact opposite - if something made you happy it had to be sinful.

Great -heaven must just be an awesome place to spend an eternity then. Maybe hell shouldn't be so bad after all? Hail dourness!

 

[Dave-W]

Maybe hell shouldn't be so bad after all?

Eternal infinite intensity torture?

Go for it if you want.

 

[fhansen]

Eternal infinite intensity torture?

Go for it if you want.

Well, if sin is the source of happiness...what would heaven be like? Just relatively less sour than hell?

 

[Eudaimonist]

Eternal infinite intensity torture?

According to some Christians. But not all Christians.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

When choosing compassion, to take to heart, it should not involve taking in some broken glass or self harm or someone's anger or vindictiveness. No harsh correction, life instead. It is important that with choosing compassion and empathy that one also has happiness or, like Mother Theresa of Calcutta, you could lose your faith for working to hard on your own soul. Everything has to be balanced.

 

[SoulMiasma]

Well, I certainly don't want to live an unhappy life! I don't want to be miserable. So I can see it to some degree. But on the other hand, I get how those people can be suspect. It should be a goal in life, but not a "whatever means possible."

Being dishonest and cruel as a means to happiness is wrong. Throwing important people down the drain is wrong. But simply pursuing happiness is fine, as long as you don't resort to horrible means to get the ends.

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

From the OP, empathy can lead to happiness when things are right or when good actions are taken.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

In the NT happy and blessed are synonyms. I am certainly blessed and most assuredly happy.

 

[AionPhanes]

Many people beleive that virtuous** thought and behavior naturally leads to human flourishing and by extension can increase levels of happiness. While certain chemical imbalances can still effect the virtous and different people have differing base levels of happiness to work with I do believe their is some correlation between the two.

** Granted virtue does entail more than morality alone and includes things like mastery of the mind as well.