Seeking Happiness? Wrong Way! — An Intriguing Talk With a Wise Man
There is no such thing as happiness. At least, not in the sense most people think about it.
‘I’ll be happy when I finally get promoted.’
‘If I managed to lose 30 pounds, my life would be totally carefree.’
‘Finding The One will bring me happiness.’
Yes, our mood might temporarily change for the better once we reach a personal goal. We might feel successful, leading to a significant boost in our self-esteem, which is wonderful. However, maintaining a consistent state of subjective well-being is rooted in a different approach to life.
Regarding the third example: The notion that you can only find completeness and contentment in a relationship is a topic that warrants several articles. For now, let’s delve into a closer examination of the concept of happiness.
If we were to ask anyone whether they want to be happy, their response would likely be ‘yes, of course.’ If we were to ask several people what happiness means to them, we would receive a wide variety of answers. In fact, there might be as many answers as the number of people we ask.
How is this possible?
If everyone seeks happiness in entirely different places, does a universally applicable concept of happiness even exist in reality? What if happiness is a construct of our subjective imagination? Is happiness a fleeting state of well-being that ebbs and flows, or is it something consistently sustainable?
Let’s explore the insights that Hungarian philosopher Balázs Török-Szabó has to offer on this intriguing topic.
Since how long have people been intrigued by the question of seeking and achieving happiness?
Whether driven by the need for survival, comfort or other motives, the pursuit of enhancing our lives seems to be as ancient as humanity itself. It’s no wonder that questions about happiness have perpetually captivated people throughout history, prominently featuring in the works of numerous philosophers.
Could you highlight a few of them? When, by whom and what was said about happiness?
It wouldn’t be fair to single out or omit anyone within such a comprehensive process, all elements of which hold significance. Conversely, condensing many years of work into a few sentences cannot fully convey any line of thought. Despite the impossibility of presenting the entire picture, I can offer you a glimpse into the historical evolution of happiness discourse.
It’s worth noting that Eastern and Western thinkers have traversed distinct paths on this subject, albeit with some shared similarities. The concept of happiness emerged in both traditions during antiquity, although likely with varying interpretations. Instructions and teachings about happiness can be found in Lun Yu, also known as the Analects of Confucius.
‘He who possesses knowledge lives a happy life.’
Here, knowledge denoted the practice of fundamental virtues: humanity, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness. Parallels to this concept can be observed in ancient Greek culture. While opinions differed on the most crucial virtues and the definition of excellence (areté), many Greek thinkers concurred that practicing virtues could lead to happiness. Socrates believed that virtues were intrinsic to the soul, with knowledge similarly playing a pivotal role in his reasoning.
For Socrates, happiness (eudaimonia) referred to the harmony and orderliness of the soul, achievable through self-awareness, while ignorance disrupted this balance, resulting in unhappiness. Hedonists advocated that an ideal life stemmed from sensory pleasures and the pursuit of such delights, whereas the Stoics believed that destructive emotions arose from errors in judgment. They posited that the fundamental purpose of humans was to harmonize with nature.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the prevailing Western perspective was that happiness could be attained by seeking and serving God. St. Thomas Aquinas regarded happiness (beatitudo) as humanity’s ultimate goal. In addition to the virtues outlined previously, particularly by Aristotle, his philosophy also emphasized faith, hope, and love.
Turning to the 17th century, John Locke’s views stand out: he argued that due to humans’ intelligence and knowledge, they could pursue specific goals that contributed to their own happiness.
The emergence of utilitarianism in the 18th century underscored that individual happiness benefits society as a whole. A noteworthy figure from the 19th century is John Stuart Mill, who highlighted that the quality of pleasure, not merely its quantity, significantly influenced happiness.
Undoubtedly, numerous other approaches and theorists could be mentioned, but this overview offers insight into the central role that the subject of happiness occupies in the tapestry of human intellectual history.
Based on this, if I understand correctly, can happiness be achieved by meditating on certain virtues?
This process extends beyond contemplating morality and righteousness. Virtues furnish us with a foundational set of values that can illuminate our life’s path. It encompasses a lifestyle and continuous practice. Therefore, if we take truth-telling and courage as virtues, mere contemplation is insufficient. Action is imperative — we must practice truth-telling and courage. Yet, the initial step involves grasping the essence of these concepts.
The opportunity to lead such a life isn’t confined to the past; it’s available to us in the present moment. Virtues like faith, love, wisdom, knowledge, and temperance, among others, are accessible. Some of these may already constitute elements of our value system. The choice of which virtues to adopt as foundational pillars and guiding principles in our life lies within our control.
Yes, we have the freedom to choose which virtues to cultivate, but many people find this task too daunting. Instead, they seek quick-fix solutions and instant recipes for happiness. What might underline this tendency?
As you’ve aptly put it, the challenge of this path is likely what dissuades many from embracing it. Embracing a set of values demands continual attention, extensive practice, learning, self-discipline, commitment, and perseverance. When we endeavor to change our lives and stumble initially, we may perceive these instances as failures, leading us to give up prematurely. Self-improvement constitutes a protracted journey replete with not only successes but also challenges. It’s unsurprising that only a handful choose this route.
In light of these difficulties, can this process genuinely lead to happiness?
The question is: What do we define as happiness? Happiness could be conceived as a state of mind often equated with joy. Alternatively, it can be seen as a goal to pursue, a destination worth striving for.
Another perspective is that happiness is an ongoing practice, encompassing both the pursuit of our objectives and the path itself that guides us. This outlook includes joys, triumphs, setbacks and hardships, offering continual opportunities for improvement.
Is opting for the latter approach worthwhile?
Implicit in your question is the idea that certain pursuits are valuable while others aren’t. This notion holds significant utility, particularly in the realm of business. However, thinkers who believed in the connection between virtuous living and happiness followed a distinct set of values. For them, the consideration of worthiness held no sway.
So, how does philosophy aid us?
Philosophy in itself cannot provide direct solutions, yet if we persistently, wholeheartedly, correctly, and effectively employ its tools, positive outcomes are attainable. These tools allow us to clarify our desires, assess whether our chosen path aligns with our interpretation of happiness, differentiate between approaches, learn from the experiences of others, and even shape our own perception of happiness. While we must navigate the journey ourselves and put in the effort to evolve, philosophy’s methodologies, techniques, and knowledge can serve as invaluable companions throughout this process.
There are also many different scientific perspectives on the subject of happiness. According to one of the most common definitions, happiness is nothing more than a biochemical reaction in our body. When we are exposed to specific stimuli and our instincts are satisfied, the right proportions of certain hormones are released in our body. The resulting physical sensation caused by the surge of these hormones is what we refer to as happiness. When I contemplate this, I find myself doubting whether it’s truly just a physical response. Are we, as humans, nothing more than this?
Happiness is indeed regarded as a physiological state as well. The question here might be whether this state of mind is within our control or, in a sense, occurs independently of our will. In the latter scenario, happiness sometimes strikes us and then dissipates, contingent upon how the world changes and how that change impacts us. We remain powerless to influence it.
The other possibility is that we consciously achieve this state through our intellect. In this case, we are undoubtedly more than our physical nature, as there exists something else capable of regulating it. Something that encompasses the physical realm yet simultaneously transcends it. Modes of thinking enable us to make decisions that aren’t solely self-serving — decisions through which we can transcend our physical existence.
Does this practical understanding also imply that we have the capability to influence the biochemical changes occurring in our brains?
Consider this: we are constantly shaping these changes through decisions related to our dietary choices, sleep patterns, musical preferences, and the company we keep, along with the thoughts that occupy our minds. Moreover, our interaction with ourselves and the external world can induce biochemical alterations in our body. However, our desires and the direction in which we pursue them hold the most significant sway over these changes. The key factor here is our decision-making.
As the theories of the earlier-mentioned thinkers propose, humans possess rational faculties that set them apart from other living beings. In fact, some philosophers, like Immanuel Kant, consider these faculties not just as capabilities, but as duties. Decision-making is one such faculty, alongside our capacity to think and deliberately transform ourselves — to grow and evolve. We can identify, establish, and embody values and virtues. We can extend our influence beyond ourselves, not only concerning our well-being but also in terms of our interactions with others and the environment. The interplay of our influences can even form the foundation of a value system.
Happiness is a construct originated by humans, often regarded as the ultimate objective to strive for — a goal that many dedicate their entire lives to attain. The choice rests with us. We can perceive happiness as synonymous with joy or as a goal promising success. Alternatively, we can view it as a life guided by values, marked by continuous growth and accompanied by all that entails. We might even regard happiness as a duty that requires perpetual pursuit.
One thing is for sure: it’s worth contemplating whether virtues can be bypassed or whether we can simply disregard the qualities that set us apart from the animal kingdom, solely due to the difficulty of upholding them.
In addition to his role as the professional leader of Fontanus Academy which is an institute for adult education which is part of the Fontanus Scientific Methodological Research and Educational Center, Balázs Török-Szabó is the creator of a strategy board game called Castle of Mind and an aquatic sport knwon as Water Skyball. He has also authored three brilliant books that significantly helped me to improve my thinking, leading to a more profound understanding of both myself and the world. I firmly believe that the journey towards happiness involves comprehending and enhancing ourselves. And I wholeheartedly concur with the notion that “We are what we repeatedly do…”
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