Today my group, Applez 2 Applez, talked about Epicurus and his views on Philosohpy. If you did the required reading, you already know most of his views. Epicurus continuously strived to find happiness. He stated that the point of Philosophy is to make your life go better, to help you find happiness.
My group first discussed happiness related to Philosophy. We believe that happiness and joy are closely related. Even though they are related, they are different. We decided that we get happiness from the circumstances we are in, and our circumstances can change. Joy, however, comes from within. Joy might be seen as a long term happiness. Happiness can fade while joy stays. Even in the hardest times one can find joy from within. We also discussed the notion of worldly things affecting our happiness. Those people that want material things in order to be happy will not be truly happy because there will always be something better to get. Happiness should come from simple things that can last, not material items. Society can affect our happiness just as much as our personal experiences can affect our happiness. We must strive to find what makes us happy as a person, not as a society as a whole.
One question we struggled with is, "Can we choose to be happy?" Linton discussed happiness coming from things around us so he thinks we can't choose to be happy if we don't know what will happen in the future. Others in our group said you can choose to be happy. Sometimes that may even mean accepting what you can't change in order to be happy. One thing we must consider is that everyone has different definitions of happiness. Not everyone is going to recieve their happiness from the same source or thought. As Nate floated into our group he added that there is always a time for happiness. There is also a time to be sad when others are sad, or to suffer when others suffer. This goes back to the idea of internal joy. We may have joy in our hearts because we are alive even though we are going through a struggle or rough patch in our lives.
Another question that continuously came up was, "Is there a major link between nature and happiness?" If we took away all nature and all lived in one large city with no sun and dark smoggy skies, could we ever be truly happy? Some people may find happiness in the sunshine shining on your face, while others may find happiness in knitting a sweater. We can't determine a universal happiness, so how can we determine if nature always causes happiness. Maybe someone with intense allergies might like no nature because they wouldn't have to suffer in order to go outside. These questions our groups asked did not have any single answer. Happiness is not a universal truth. It changes for everyone. Therefore, we must accept every different definition of happiness.
D.Q: Can we actually measure our happiness?
An insight into the idea of nature and happiness, I have lived in places that get very little sunlight during the winter. For some people (a lot more than I expected) this can spark something known as "seasonal affective disorder (SAD)," where they will become depressed because of a lack of sunlight. To cope with this, people will buy special lamps that mimic sunlight and turn them on in their homes during the winter. Now, some of that may just mental, but for some people this a medically diagnosed disorder.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get, I see more and more ways how nature is linked to human health (and more than just physical health).
Wow. I wasn't even aware that it could affect people that much. I know I get down a lot when it is gloomy outside, but I could never imagine depression. Thanks for the insight Nate!
ReplyDeleteOn another note.. I forgot to add the F.Q.
F.Q.:Who said, "Death is not an event in life?"
Answer: Ludwig Wittgenstein
I think the issue of happiness is pretty hotly debated. The main question being of course “Can material objects create happiness?” I agree that if all your “happiness” is rooted in material things, you have a problem. However, I don't think there is anything wrong with being happy or even joyful with tangible objects. I love Apple products. There’s not very many brands that I am completely loyal to, but Apple is one. I absolutely adore my MacBook Air that I am currently typing on. Now not all my joy in life comes from Apple products, but I don’t feel guilty about being happy when I use them! On the topic of not being able to be truly happy because of constantly wanting the next best thing, I would have to agree. I think true permanent happiness can only come from faith, family, and friends.
ReplyDeleteAs far as environment/surroundings affecting your happiness and choosing to be happy, I firmly believe you can find happiness in any situation and it is possible to choose to be happy.
DQ: Is there a correct balance of happiness from material objects and non material objects? (I couldn’t figure out a good way to word that, sorry) If so, what is it?
FQ: Did Epicurus believe death was an event in one’s life?
Link: http://img7.joyreactor.com/pics/post/demotivation-posters-auto-308877.jpeg
I believe that happiness is a moment by moment choice. As crappy as our circumstances are, we can choose to be happy. I agree with Trevor that true happiness comes from faith, family, and friends. I also believe that there is a huge correlation between being happy and being thankful. It reminds me of the verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. It says, "Be joyful always.. give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Sometimes being thankful is hard, especially when things aren't going the way we want them to, but the bible says to be thankful in ALL circumstances. I think that when we can step back and be thankful even in the hard times, we will be able to find happiness in all situations.
ReplyDeleteFQ: What is the basic idea of a stoic?
ReplyDeleteAnswer: We should only worry about things we can change. Also that we are responsible for what we feel and think.
DQ: Do we have complete control over our emotions?
So I just realized I put the wrong name in the title. Sorry guys!!
ReplyDelete4 Do not toil to acquire wealth;
ReplyDeletebe discerning enough to desist.
5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 23:4-5
Wealth is fleeting, but true friends and family will stay by your side through hardships and happy times. Just like the Biblical story of the prodigal son, the father stayed by his son and accepted him even after he had rejected his father for his inheritance. All of his "friends" stuck by him as long as the deluge of money persisted, but as soon as the well ran dry, he suddenly had no one left in the world looking out for him. His family, however, was there for him, exemplifying that material things and those bought shallowly are soon to pass, but those who truly care for you will be there for you whenever you are in need. Placing happiness in these instead of material things allows many people to endure through hardship, even though they are poor in wealth.
FQ: Which philosopher believed that nothing could be known, therefore no desicion could be made or anything believed in regard to information gathered by way of perception?
A: Pyrrho
DQ: What is necessary to have joy? Can material possessions create perpetual joy, if searching for the next object of desire creates temporary happiness?
Mason Riley
I believe happiness comes from our surroundings that we put ourselves into. Epicurus seemed to be a very depressed and passive person. Its in one's own nature to fear death and overlooking it and taking your life for granite can lead to it being gone in a flash. I constantly fear death, but i also think the fear gives me a reality check and makes me question my actions.
ReplyDeleteWe'll never be able to determine anyone's happiness but our own. And, to me, happiness is cyclical and constant.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy the discussion question that your group put up. Definitely food for thought and an interesting topic that will most likely fuel a great conversation. I personally don't know if you can measure happiness for everyone. You might be able to measure your own but I don't think that you can have a universal measure of happiness for everyone.
ReplyDelete