Comments for Pursuit of Happiness http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org Happiness is understandable, obtainable, and teachable Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:21:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on On-Site Workshops by Angela Rodgers http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/participate/on-site-workshops/#comment-2794 Angela Rodgers Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:21:51 +0000 http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/#comment-2794 I teach middle school. Our school has went through dramatic changes in the past four years. We can't seem to get a roll on bringing a positive atmosphere. I think you guys could help. I teach middle school. Our school has went through dramatic changes in the past four years. We can’t seem to get a roll on bringing a positive atmosphere. I think you guys could help.

]]> Comment on Thomas Aquinas by John Harag http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/thomas-aquinas/#comment-2714 John Harag Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:34:51 +0000 http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/#comment-2714 Thomas Aquinas is one of my favorite theologians. I think the author is on to something in saying "perhaps he actually achieved a beatific vision of God, a vision so strong that it rendered all of his words obsolete." But, I think the conclusion oversimplifies. If we are speaking of a happiness with the living God, such cannot be fully experienced from one's deathbed. That is, the divine, supernatural, wholly spiritual God cannot be engaged while the human spirit is still joined to the physical body. Such a beatific vision would likely be far greater 'beatitudo' than Aquinas thought possible to experience on earth, yet even greater still would it be on the other side of the veil. I prefer to think of the 'beatitudo' as the Christian joy, and 'felicitas' as happiness. Happiness may be fleeting, or last through most of life in practice and memory, but joy is permanent. Some degree of pure, unadulterated felicitas-joy is attainable in this life, as attached to the virtues of faith, hope, and selfless love. Yet, steadfast dedication to the Aristotelian virtues must have the potential to grant such whole satisfaction that it would seem a perfect happiness, if only attained for a short time. The imperfection of this beatitudo-happiness is only as limiting as the imperfection of this world. Perhaps Aquinas certainly did underestimate the attainability of such happiness. Thomas Aquinas is one of my favorite theologians. I think the author is on to something in saying “perhaps he actually achieved a beatific vision of God, a vision so strong that it rendered all of his words obsolete.” But, I think the conclusion oversimplifies. If we are speaking of a happiness with the living God, such cannot be fully experienced from one’s deathbed. That is, the divine, supernatural, wholly spiritual God cannot be engaged while the human spirit is still joined to the physical body. Such a beatific vision would likely be far greater ‘beatitudo’ than Aquinas thought possible to experience on earth, yet even greater still would it be on the other side of the veil.

I prefer to think of the ‘beatitudo’ as the Christian joy, and ‘felicitas’ as happiness. Happiness may be fleeting, or last through most of life in practice and memory, but joy is permanent. Some degree of pure, unadulterated felicitas-joy is attainable in this life, as attached to the virtues of faith, hope, and selfless love. Yet, steadfast dedication to the Aristotelian virtues must have the potential to grant such whole satisfaction that it would seem a perfect happiness, if only attained for a short time. The imperfection of this beatitudo-happiness is only as limiting as the imperfection of this world.

Perhaps Aquinas certainly did underestimate the attainability of such happiness.

]]> Comment on Aristotle by Lee Barber http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/aristotle/#comment-2669 Lee Barber Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:19:19 +0000 http://pursuit-of-happiness.org/aristotle#comment-2669 This is very well put. I read the Nicomachean Ethics years ago and adopted it as my personal philosophy of happiness. As I look back from her, I see that yes I am happy with the choices I have made to this point. I have balance.... This is very well put. I read the Nicomachean Ethics years ago and adopted it as my personal philosophy of happiness. As I look back from her, I see that yes I am happy with the choices I have made to this point. I have balance….

]]> Comment on al-Ghazali by veera balaji http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/al-ghazali/#comment-2665 veera balaji Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:29:25 +0000 http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/#comment-2665 thanks for a clear and crisp intro to al-ghazali's ideas / philosophy. thanks for a clear and crisp intro to al-ghazali’s ideas / philosophy.

]]> Comment on Introduction to the Science of Happiness by Toni http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/science-of-happiness/#comment-2655 Toni Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:40:05 +0000 http://pursuit-of-happiness.org/?page_id=5#comment-2655 "To live without being grateful, is a wholely selfish act and the functioning of the human mind rewards such acts with continuous pain in many forms." The Secret to Happiness: Be broadly grateful, and keep your good health. Living ethically provides many opportuniites to promote your good health. “To live without being grateful, is a wholely selfish act and the functioning of the human mind rewards such acts with continuous pain in many forms.”

The Secret to Happiness: Be broadly grateful, and keep your good health.

Living ethically provides many opportuniites to promote your good health.

]]> Comment on Inspirational Quotes on Happiness by kim http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/happiness-quotes/#comment-2646 kim Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:04:17 +0000 http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/#comment-2646 Happiness is like jam: You can’t spread it without getting some on yourself. Happiness is like jam: You can’t spread it without getting some on yourself.

]]> Comment on Introduction to the Science of Happiness by Ben http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/science-of-happiness/#comment-2554 Ben Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:18:02 +0000 http://pursuit-of-happiness.org/?page_id=5#comment-2554 The Secret of Happiness: Happiness requires a broad foundation of being grateful; and staying healthy. Living ethically provides increased oppourtunities for keeping oneself and family healthy. Thousands of things must happen every day just for each of us to live and breath; and thousands more not to live in continuous pain. We don't need to be grateful to anything (that promotes greed, a feeling of entitlement), just have the feeling of being broadly grateful. To live without being grateful, is a wholely selfish act and the functioning of the human mind rewards such acts with continuous pain in many forms. The Secret of Happiness:

Happiness requires a broad foundation of being grateful; and staying healthy. Living ethically provides increased oppourtunities for keeping oneself and family healthy. Thousands of things must happen every day just for each of us to live and breath; and thousands more not to live in continuous pain. We don’t need to be grateful to anything (that promotes greed, a feeling of entitlement), just have the feeling of being broadly grateful.

To live without being grateful, is a wholely selfish act and the functioning of the human mind rewards such acts with continuous pain in many forms.

]]> Comment on Aristotle by Paul http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/aristotle/#comment-2531 Paul Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:55:00 +0000 http://pursuit-of-happiness.org/aristotle#comment-2531 I really like this piece in terms of style and content and in short demonstrates the brilliance of an ancient thinker and his effect on society that will live on. The website is very good. I really like this piece in terms of style and content and in short demonstrates the brilliance of an ancient thinker and his effect on society that will live on. The website is very good.

]]> Comment on Teaching Happiness: The Science, the Philosophy, and the Hype by Lina http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/2011/09/teaching-happiness-the-science-the-philosophy-and-the-hype/#comment-2250 Lina Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:16:18 +0000 http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/?p=3053#comment-2250 Happiness seems to be a state of mind that is different for each person. It is fairly subjective I would say. I also think that being too « realistic » is sometimes a deterrent to happiness.. After all, aren't dreams and wishes a big part of being happy? Happiness seems to be a state of mind that is different for each person. It is fairly subjective I would say. I also think that being too « realistic » is sometimes a deterrent to happiness.. After all, aren’t dreams and wishes a big part of being happy?

]]> Comment on Teaching Happiness: The Science, the Philosophy, and the Hype by bryan http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/2011/09/teaching-happiness-the-science-the-philosophy-and-the-hype/#comment-2174 bryan Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:54:36 +0000 http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/?p=3053#comment-2174 I really like the fact that you are exploring the science and history of happiness, and including reality in your discussion. What I have seen of your site so far reinforces my view that reality consists of 'Light' and 'Dark' and you can't even define one without the other; and to truly find Happiness, (or more accurately, to let Happiness find you), you must seek knowledge; and that particular journey is not always conducive to happiness; leaving us with a paradox. As I stated recently on another web site (responding to the prevalent "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" perspective) "I believe genuine Happiness lives in the same neighborhood as Truth and Wisdom - just around the corner from Pain and Adversity. I'm going to keep knocking on doors." I hope you do, also. Thanks for the most balanced perspective I have thus far seen in a 'Happiness' web site. I really like the fact that you are exploring the science and history of happiness, and including reality in your discussion. What I have seen of your site so far reinforces my view that reality consists of ‘Light’ and ‘Dark’ and you can’t even define one without the other; and to truly find Happiness, (or more accurately, to let Happiness find you), you must seek knowledge; and that particular journey is not always conducive to happiness; leaving us with a paradox. As I stated recently on another web site (responding to the prevalent “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” perspective) “I believe genuine Happiness lives in the same neighborhood as Truth and Wisdom – just around the corner from Pain and Adversity. I’m going to keep knocking on doors.” I hope you do, also. Thanks for the most balanced perspective I have thus far seen in a ‘Happiness’ web site.

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