Why Happiness And Contentment Are Not The Same Thing
Happiness and contentment are two concepts that are often used interchangeably, yet they carry very different meanings. Contentment refers to creature comforts, where happiness is something unique to human kind.
Nowhere is this distinction made more clear than in the writings of John Stuart Mill. John Stuart Mill was one of the most influential thinkers of the 19th century and said to have one of the highest IQs in history. In his essay “Utilitarianism,” Mill argues that happiness is the ultimate goal of human action and that everything we do is ultimately aimed at achieving happiness.
Proof happiness is the ultimate goal of life:
As an exercise, think of any action, then think of the purpose behind it. Let me give you an example:
Going to the gym.
Why do you go to the gym?
- To have a healthy body
- To look presentable
- It makes me feel better
Now let’s break that down to the most basic level
- To have a healthy body is important so I don’t get sick. If I get sick I will incur medical bills, not perform my daily activities as well, and maybe even end up in the hospital. All of these outcomes lead to a loss in happiness
- To look presentable. If I look presentable I will feel more confident, I will attract more people of the opposite sex, etc. Again, all leading to an increase in happiness.
- It makes me feel better = self explanatory
Mill argues the only time we will give up happiness is for a greater degree of happiness down the road (delayed gratification), or to increase someone else’s happiness. And if someone we care about is happy… guess what? That makes us happy too. Try thinking of some actions in your life and you will find that ultimately, the pursuit of happiness lies at its center.
Why Contentment is Not Happiness:
According to Mill, happiness can be divided into two types: higher and lower. Lower pleasures, or contentment, refer to physical pleasures, such as food, drink, sex, and comfort, basically anything an animal can enjoy. Conversely, higher pleasures refer to intellectual and moral pleasures, things unique to humanity. Mill argues that higher pleasures are superior to lower pleasures because they involve the use of our higher faculties and lead to greater overall happiness. He writes, “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied”
While Mill emphasizes the importance of happiness, he also recognizes that it is not always possible to be happy all the time. He acknowledges that humans are prone to negative emotions and that life is full of challenges and difficulties. However, Mill argues that happiness can be achieved even in the face of adversity. He writes, “The happiness which people derive from life, depends not upon the events which happen to them, but upon the manner in which they are received, and the way in which they react upon them.”
In other words, Mill argues that happiness is not about experiencing positive emotions all the time, but rather about having the right mindset and attitude towards life. We’re not always going to have a perfect day riding roller coasters at Six Flags. Life is about accepting the ups and downs of life and finding a sense of peace and calmness in the midst of it all.
How to be Happy:
So how can we achieve happiness? Mill argues that happiness can be cultivated through virtues, such as wisdom, courage, and self-control. These virtues allow individuals to face challenges and difficulties with resilience and grace, leading to a greater sense of contentment and well-being. Things humans can do to achieve happiness (not contentment) include building deep and meaningful relationships, learning and growing your knowledge and skillset, setting and achieving goals, helping others, and contributing to your community.
In contrast to happiness, Mill argues that the pursuit of contentment can lead to negative consequences. He argues that the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification can lead to selfishness and harm to others. Your life becomes centered on bringing yourself more and more comfort, even at the expense of others.
If you are constantly seeking out base pleasures, you will forego a lot of what life has to offer. While it might feel great in the short term to have good food, drink, and other creature comforts, eventually you will be left feeling unfulfilled. In other words, the pursuit of contentment can lead individuals to focus solely on their own pleasure and ignore the needs and well-being of others. This can ultimately lead to harm and suffering, both for the individual and society as a whole.
Have you felt the difference between happiness and contentment in your own life? Share in the comments what makes you most happy!
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