Knowledge or Happiness?

[NaCl]

In order to take a break from what seems to be mostly Atheist/Christian quarrelling on this subforum, I thought I'd start a different kind of thread.

Basically: the question is: which is more desirable? Total Knowledge or Pure Happiness?

Total Knowledge would in theory be knowing everything that you want to know. You would be able to use your knowledge to make yourself more powerful and able, but satisfaction would not be guaranteed.

Pure Happiness would be being happy whenever you want, regardless of any otherwise painful experiences. You would never get bored from being happy (a logical contradiction) but you wouldn't know why you were happy. Regardless, you would still be happy.

 

[rembrot]

Think a balance Is requuired, like all things in liife

 

[SimonNova]

presumably pure happiness would be better because you would have no negative consequences of hearing about all the foul things in life.

I hear that Prozac has a similar effect to what you mention, ie: you feel happy all the time without knowing why

 

[Eudaimonist]

I believe in achieving happiness through knowledge and action, rather than getting effortless happiness as if by a drug.

I see happiness as a reward for personal flourishing, not as the complete expression of the good life. It's icing on the cake, not the cake itself.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[quatona]

In order to take a break from what seems to be mostly Atheist/Christian quarrelling on this subforum, I thought I'd start a different kind of thread.

Basically: the question is: which is more desirable? Total Knowledge or Pure Happiness?

Total Knowledge would in theory be knowing everything that you want to know. You would be able to use your knowledge to make yourself more powerful and able, but satisfaction would not be guaranteed.

Pure Happiness would be being happy whenever you want, regardless of any otherwise painful experiences. You would never get bored from being happy (a logical contradiction) but you wouldn't know why you were happy. Regardless, you would still be happy.

Anything that is called total or pure (and capitalized at that) doesn´t appear attractive to me.

 

[Gadarene]

Basically: the question is: which is more desirable? Total Knowledge or Pure Happiness?

The two may be one and the same for some people. Some people are happy when they can be sure they aren't kidding themselves just in order to be happy in an ignorance-is-bliss sense.

 

[Received]

I doubt it's possible to be truly happy without a concern for truth. At the same time, truth is an ingredient to happiness and not the other way around; and there are plenty of ingredients in the happy life. At heart, the truth that matters most is the "subjectivity" mentioned by Kierkegaard -- where the concepts relating to the fulfillment of ourselves, which can be seen in the daily meanings throughout our lives that we can choose to fulfill or not. This subjective truth often involves meaning that relates to uncovering objective truth, knowing more about the world. It's a matter of priority, and it seems like these days truth and the methods used to uncover it (science, reason, etc.) are held dogmatically, without concern for their original happiness cash value.

 

[bling]

While here on earth Christians are not promised “Happiness” and really can’t be “happy” with this messed up world. A Christian can have “joy”, but that is another concept.

As far as worldly “knowledge” would that generate pride?

I do think there is plenty enough “knowledge” for the Christian to get through his/her time here on earth serving others, so what would more “knowledge” do for the person or even other people? (This world is not really going to change that much since it is ideal for what we need?)

 

[Paradoxum]

Pure happiness probably.

 

[juvenissun]

In order to take a break from what seems to be mostly Atheist/Christian quarrelling on this subforum, I thought I'd start a different kind of thread.

Basically: the question is: which is more desirable? Total Knowledge or Pure Happiness?

Total Knowledge would in theory be knowing everything that you want to know. You would be able to use your knowledge to make yourself more powerful and able, but satisfaction would not be guaranteed.

Pure Happiness would be being happy whenever you want, regardless of any otherwise painful experiences. You would never get bored from being happy (a logical contradiction) but you wouldn't know why you were happy. Regardless, you would still be happy.

Usually a multiple choice question has four choices. So why not add two more to it?

a. total knowledge
b. pure happiness
c. perfect love
d. absolute power

--------

What I really mean is: To a Christian, it is not a matter of your choice. All the above are gifts. You get what you are given, and the gift you got is always the most desirable. So, what does it mean? It means: don't choose, you already have your best.

 

[Elioenai26]

In order to take a break from what seems to be mostly Atheist/Christian quarrelling on this subforum, I thought I'd start a different kind of thread.

Basically: the question is: which is more desirable? Total Knowledge or Pure Happiness?

Total Knowledge would in theory be knowing everything that you want to know. You would be able to use your knowledge to make yourself more powerful and able, but satisfaction would not be guaranteed.

Pure Happiness would be being happy whenever you want, regardless of any otherwise painful experiences. You would never get bored from being happy (a logical contradiction) but you wouldn't know why you were happy. Regardless, you would still be happy.

I do not think that I would desire either of those. I am honestly at the present: completely satisfied, fulfilled, joyful, and content.

 

[Paradoxum]

Usually a multiple choice question has four choices. So why not add two more to it?

a. total knowledge
b. pure happiness
c. perfect love
d. absolute power

What is perfect love. Do you give perfect love or feel it? If you feel it isn't that pure happiness?

Absolute power might be the best out of these. It could probably be used to gain happiness and more knowledge.

 

[Dave Ellis]

There's no question, Total Knowledge... Pure Happiness I can achieve on my own, so I don't need anyone to give it to me.

 

[Dave Ellis]

What is perfect love. Do you give perfect love or feel it? If you feel it isn't that pure happiness?

Absolute power might be the best out of these. It could probably be used to gain happiness and more knowledge.

Knowledge is power. If you have total knowledge, gaining the other three things on the list will become inevitable.

 

[Paradoxum]

Knowledge is power. If you have total knowledge, gaining the other three things on the list will become inevitable.

I disagree. What if you know what to do but don't have the money, equipment or ability to carry out what you want to do? One might know how to build an anti-gravity device and shield (for flight) but it would alot cost lots and take years. If you have absolute power you can do it straight away. To be honest mind control would be the power I would be looking for though and I don't even know if that is practically and physically possible.

I guess it depends how long you are willing to wait and the longer you wait the more you risk dying along the way. Or maybe I am thinking too seriously about an opportunity I will never have.

 

[Eudaimonist]

To be honest mind control would be the power I would be looking for

It's a good thing for Paradoxum to have mind control. It's a very good thing.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[grasping the after wind]

Usually a multiple choice question has four choices. So why not add two more to it?

a. total knowledge
b. pure happiness
c. perfect love
d. absolute power

--------

What I really mean is: To a Christian, it is not a matter of your choice. All the above are gifts. You get what you are given, and the gift you got is always the most desirable. So, what does it mean? It means: don't choose, you already have your best.

I prefer the quest for knowledge, the pursuit of happiness, imperfect but sincere love and the wisdom to see that power is an illusion.

 

[DCJazz]

In order to take a break from what seems to be mostly Atheist/Christian quarrelling on this subforum, I thought I'd start a different kind of thread.

Basically: the question is: which is more desirable? Total Knowledge or Pure Happiness?

Total Knowledge would in theory be knowing everything that you want to know. You would be able to use your knowledge to make yourself more powerful and able, but satisfaction would not be guaranteed.

Pure Happiness would be being happy whenever you want, regardless of any otherwise painful experiences. You would never get bored from being happy (a logical contradiction) but you wouldn't know why you were happy. Regardless, you would still be happy.

I'd want truth and the ability to act on that truth. So I'd have to say neither Total Knowledge nor 'Pure' Happiness appeals to me. After all, your first choice is everything you 'want' to know, meaning you could know everything about a given theory yet still deny the truth. Pure happiness doesn't work because, let's face it, humans just aren't built to handle that kind of emotion 24/7.

So I'd want the Absolute Truth not susceptible to my own desires or perspective. Whether that would bring me happiness or not, well, I think that'd be quite irrelevant.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Pure happiness doesn't work because, let's face it, humans just aren't built to handle that kind of emotion 24/7.

What do you think would happen to a human who did feel happiness 24/7?

eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[grasping the after wind]

What do you think would happen to a human who did feel happiness 24/7?

eudaimonia,

Mark

Depends how one defines happiness. I find it akin to contentment so I would think that such a person would be quite satisfied.