Pursuit of happiness

**The Stranger** · 08-07-2009, 16:02

The pursuit of happiness is artificial. It is not the origin of men's struggle to survive and will never will be. It is imposed on humanity by others to keep them preocuppied. People look for happiness without ever being satisfied, without ever knowing what they are looking for. They look for happiness because society demands it. There is a myth that says that happy people work harder. I believe that only people looking for happiness work hard, because they have a reason to. Happy people don't work at all, unless they find happiness in their work. Society demands that pursuit, because than everyone has a purpose in life and people with a purpose don't commit suicide. It however does not want people to reach the satisfaction of happiness because then there would be no more reason to consume and society would collapse. There would be no more reason to explore and society would stagnate.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 08-07-2009, 16:23

Have you just been dumped?

I ask because it's usually something like that which causes outbursts like this, needless to say I dissagree completely.

**The Stranger** · 08-07-2009, 16:27

no.

**Marshal Murat** · 08-07-2009, 16:28

PVC - Sigged.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 08-07-2009, 16:48

Originally Posted by Marshal Murat

PVC - Sigged.

**Rhyfelwyr** · 08-07-2009, 16:59

I never understood the "the purpose of life is to continue the human race" line of thought, because what is the point in continuing something that has no purpose in itself? Gah, this backroom is making me too philosophical...

**HoreTore** · 08-07-2009, 16:31

Originally Posted by The Stranger

The pursuit of happiness is artificial. It is not the origin of men's struggle to survive and will never will be.

Ah - but we have moved beyond the simple need for survival and reproduction by now, haven't we?

**The Stranger** · 08-07-2009, 16:36

have we really (have we moved on to consuming instead?)? We like to believe we have, and so the people with the best qualities (aka most intelligent, athletic and beautiful people) no longer or barely reproduce and we are uncapable of surviving (most of us in the west anyway) if we are put outside our comfortable little appartments...

we still don't know what we're doing here... beside the obvious, reproduction (to ensure the survival of the species) and to maintain the balance of the ecosystem...

needless to say we suck at both...

**HoreTore** · 08-07-2009, 16:51

Originally Posted by The Stranger

have we really (have we moved on to consuming instead?)? We like to believe we have, and so the people with the best qualities (aka most intelligent, athletic and beautiful people) no longer or barely reproduce and we are uncapable of surviving (most of us in the west anyway) if we are put outside our comfortable little appartments...

we still don't know what we're doing here... beside the obvious, reproduction (to ensure the survival of the species) and to maintain the balance of the ecosystem...

needless to say we suck at both...

Bah, speak for yoursself!

As for me, I have found the meaning of life - it's enjoyment and pleasure. Get as much of it as possible. Reproduction? Hah! If I have kids, it'll probably one that should've been a wet stain on the bed...

**Centurion1** · 08-07-2009, 16:57

Enjoyment and pleasure probably equal happiness to most people....... And uh reproducing is a happy event. As is surviving.

**HoreTore** · 08-07-2009, 17:12

Originally Posted by Centurion1

Enjoyment and pleasure probably equal happiness to most people.......

Indeed it does.

Originally Posted by Centurion1

And uh reproducing is a happy event. As is surviving.

Not reproduction itself, that leads to sleepless nights, anxiety, stress and all sorts of unhappiness. The act which was meant to lead to reproduction though....

As for surviving.... Let's swap it around, will you be unhappy if you stop surviving? How will you know?

@Rhy: Luckily it's friday night now, you have an excuse to drown your worries in ale

**TinCow** · 08-07-2009, 20:57

Originally Posted by The Stranger

I believe that only people looking for happiness work hard, because they have a reason to. Happy people don't work at all, unless they find happiness in their work.

Incorrect. I have been happy for a very long period of time. One of the major reasons why I am happy is that I am financially secure. If I were to stop working, I would lose that financial security and no longer be able to maintain my lifestyle. This would almost certainly cause me to be unhappy. Thus, though I have obtained happiness, I continue to work hard so that I can continue experiencing that happiness.

Plus, not working is boring.