The Pursuit of Happiness and Its Complications
As a rule, happiness is seen as the desirable state of being that all people should aspire to achieve. Though happiness is highly subjective, it is nonetheless regarded as the pinnacle of one’s progress and, therefore, the core measure of one’s personal and professional success (Shafer-Landau, 2020). However, the pursuit of happiness is fraught with some complications stemming from the flawed premise of happiness being the ultimate goal and, therefore, leading to deep dissatisfaction.
Hedonism and the Passive Approach to Happiness
Regarding the elusive nature of happiness, one should mention hedonism, the philosophy that encourages seeking happiness while remaining passive and maintaining the status quo (Shafer-Landau, 2020). The stance described on the subject matter incorporates a flawed premise and, therefore, is inherently erroneous (Shafer-Landau, 2020). Given the obvious misconception it promotes, one may come to the opposite conclusion, namely, pursuing happiness by supporting change.
Embracing Change and Desiring Satisfaction for Personal Growth
Indeed, accepting change as an inevitable process that allows for personal growth and improvement can be regarded as a powerful tool in encouraging personal happiness while keeping relationships with others in harmony (Shafer-Landau, 2020). The Desire Satisfaction Theory supports the specified premise since it posits that fulfilling one’s desires makes one’s life satisfactory (Shafer-Landau, 2020). Therefore, to remain happy and satisfied, one must set new goals and seek to achieve new progress regularly.
The Limitations of Happiness as an Ultimate Goal
Since the idea of happiness as the desired state of being is inherently flawed, focusing on happiness as the core objective may entail feeling extensively unhappy. In addition, the continuous pursuit of happiness can cause a shift in priorities that contributes to harmful changes in one’s attitudes and behaviors. Therefore, happiness should be interpreted as an idyllic concept that cannot be fully captured.
Reference
Shafer-Landau, R. (2020). The fundamentals of ethics (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.