The Pursuit of Happiness and Meaning
The Hedonic Treadmill
Our baseline level of happiness tends to remain consistent over time. Even significant events like winning the lottery or experiencing a severe injury ultimately have a limited long-term impact on our overall well-being. We adapt to new circumstances, and the initial joy or sorrow fades. Getting that thing we desire leads to adaptation and boredom, and soon we want something else.
Defining Happiness and Freedom
Happiness, at its core, can be defined as being content with one's current state. It's about accepting things as they are and not feeling a sense of lack or incompleteness. The story of Socrates in the marketplace, who was content with how many things that he didn't want, highlights the concept that not wanting something can be a form of freedom.
The Illusion of Happiness and the Value of "Nothing"
Sustained happiness is often found in periods of relative inactivity, not in the constant pursuit of pleasure. While pleasure can create a temporary illusion of happiness, it's often fleeting. Ironically, asking people what made them happy for a sustained period of time usually points to the times when they were doing "nothing."
The Need for Surprise and Meaning
The "bliss machine" thought experiment reveals that most people desire more than just pure happiness. We crave meaning, engagement, and surprise in our lives. A life of constant, predictable bliss is not fulfilling; we need to wrestle with the world in both predictable and unpredictable ways.
The River of Life: Between Anxiety and Boredom
The journey of life flows between the banks of anxiety and boredom. If nothing worked out as expected, we'd be filled with anxiety. Conversely, if everything went according to plan, we'd be utterly bored. Therefore, there must be an element of surprise and the unknown for us to experience a fulfilling life.
The Journey is the Only Thing There Is
Successful people often reflect on their journey and recognize that the process itself was the most enjoyable and rewarding part. The journey isn't just a reward; it's the only thing there is. Even the achievement of success is quickly absorbed and followed by a new desire. We get bored.
The Cycle of Desire and Fulfillment
Our lives often follow a cycle of boredom, desire, striving, and temporary fulfillment, followed by renewed boredom and desire. This cycle highlights the importance of enjoying the journey, as it constitutes the majority of our experience. This is a normal loop that we run through.
The Importance of Self-Esteem
The worst outcome in the world is not having self-esteem. Those who dislike themselves face a constant internal struggle, making external challenges even more difficult. No one will value you more than you value yourself.
Building Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is a reputation you have with yourself. It's built by living up to your own moral code. If you don't live up to your own moral code, it will damage your self-esteem. Acts of service and sacrifice for loved ones can also contribute to a stronger sense of self-worth.
The Detrimental Effects of Overthinking
Obsessing over one's ego, personality, and perceived shortcomings can lead to depression and unhappiness. Focusing on "woe is me" narratives strengthens negative thought patterns. You strengthen a little beast in there that is insatiable.
Detachment as a Byproduct
Detachment should not be a goal in itself, but a natural consequence of understanding what truly matters. Forgetting about personal problems by focusing on larger issues, like a mission or spirituality, can contribute to happiness.
The Universality of Truth and Wisdom
Life constantly presents us with truths, whether we choose to acknowledge them or not. Truth is often painful. Wisdom cannot be directly transmitted but must be rediscovered and internalized through personal experience.
Philosophy as a Pursuit of Universal Truths
Philosophy emerges from finding generalizable truths within specific experiences. It's about developing heuristics to navigate future experiences based on a personal philosophy. Any subject pursued deeply enough will eventually lead to philosophical insights. Mastery in anything leads to being a philosopher.
Resolving Philosophical Paradoxes
Many philosophical paradoxes arise from answering questions at a different scale or time frame than the question was originally asked. Questions should be answered at the level at which they're asked. For example, the question of whether life has meaning can be answered differently from the perspective of an individual versus the universe. Likewise, the question of free will depends on the frame of reference: individual vs. God.