Friday, September 02, 2022

Pursuit of Happiness

(Taking up this title from over two years ago, not having any recollection of what it was supposed to be about at the time.)


The pursuit of happiness as a constitutional right is just wrong.

What effect could it have, except to develop the misconception that happiness is something that is pursued, and even worse, something you have a right to? Happiness is an emotion, like anger, frustration, sadness. It cannot live in a vacuum without becoming one. It gets it value precisely in its contrast to sadness/anger/frustration.

Rather, happiness should be considered a side effect. The real pursuits should be for Purpose, Goodness, Truth, Knowledge, Unity. When we achieve these, happiness is just the side effect.


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