Happiness

[gorthaticus]

Can anyone truly be unhappy?  I was pondering this the other night.  I've tried to analyze myself and how I feel about things.  I know I worry about things, WAY too much in fact.  And it shows.  Worrying though, leaves me in a certain mood, but I don't think I could call it unhappy.  Certainly there are things that go our way, and others that don't

Comments

[silentsorrow1]

You've become alot more philosophical in your old age, my dear. Very different from the little boy that walked into marching band that first day. If I may say so, you've grown up quite a bit, especially in the last year or so. I'm quite proud to say the least.

And in answer, I personally think disappointment and worry do not define happiness. I consider myself a very happy person but I'm always very twitchy and worry about everything (I'm sure you remember). But I also know with a certainly true that complete, overwhelming unhappiness does exist.

You've grown up dear. And I'd love to talk to you (debate just seems unfitting since no fighting should be occurring) on this subject or any other. I find the questions you ask nowadays..fascinating. Missed you, Matthew.

[zatara]

if a struggle were enjoyable, it would cease to be a struggle.

YES, people can be unhappy. Happiness is one of the few ideals that humans have the capacity to value that was NOT created by them. Morality is a construct of perception, and therefore not a true force. But happiness is not morality.

If a person feels depressed, that is because of chemical levels in the brain and body triggered by stress, etc.. If you're feeling depressed, it DOES indeed mean you're unhappy. The question is, how durable is that depression? Is it temporary or has it been experienced for a while?

Lastly, man can always affect the conditions shaping their environment..make no mistake..always and in every case.

[gorthaticus]

Well, this had originally started because I was feeling.....down about something, I don't remember, and I had ventured forth in the spirit of conjecture. Some people feel happiness is a result of the chemicals in our brains, others feel it's the attitude of the soul and has nothing to do with the body, others think it doesn't exist at all. I think it exists, but I feel if I say anymore, I'll be slipping into offense. So no more on this subject.

[zatara]

1. don't worry about offending people in this particular forum. People come here to read what you think, you should be honest with yourself and us by faithfully imparting that information.

2. There is no soul (obviously, my opinion). I think that (like religion) the concept of a 'soul' is made up to give us deeper meaning toward life and separate us from the more barbaric tendencies of nature.

[gorthaticus]

I'm not going to go into the philosophical arguments for or against a soul, because I just took the class and I'm tired of writing about it, but 2. isn't something I thought I'd ever hear you say. I mean, I know you stopped following mass religion awhile ago, but now I have no idea lol. Do you believe in some sort of God? Or more than one? how do you feel about existentialism?