Unhappy?

How Evolution Made Us Unhappy | Psychology Today

Now you know!

That explains a lot!

I love this.

But define "happiness." Stupid happiness isn't the same feeling as the deep gratification that some people feel through being altruistic, for example.

That made me laugh. Thanks for that.

Interesting ideas--but I don't agree!

The direct pursuit of happiness is itself toxic, as it inevitably leads to abusing others once all other avenues no longer provide the "fix" they used to. Like many drugs, people become resistant to their sources of happiness and require more and more intense sources to achieve the same amount of happiness. That inevitably leads to abuse as the only means of self-satisfaction.

The only correct action is to never directly pursue happiness, but to find happiness while doing other things.

Volunteering brings me happiness. And I agree that it's different from the happiness that comes from stupidity and not knowing better.

What an interesting thread this is. It takes me back to a philosophy class about human nature. I don't want to even begin expressing my feelings right now. So I'm choosing to think through all of this with my storybook mind, which can be quite entertaining.

My thoughts are pretty much in confluence with Flaubert's. It's a personal opinion with no scientific backing, perhaps. But if one ponders and thinks, Flaubert's thoughts appear relatable. When he talks of stupidity, I'm reminded of Dostoevsky's writing in 'Notes from the Underground' - the curse of the conscious man. (I do not remember the exact quote, but this was the essence) I've seen people live more carefree and happy when their systemic and political understanding is low or the ignorance towards daily happenings is high.

To expand on what I mean by that, it's kind of a view shared by existentialist philosophers. I mean, without getting into the religious aspect of things, I think life if you look at it on its surface, has no meaning.

But it's about our individual meanings that we create, if that makes sense.

I don't know if I'm just in a rambling mood this morning, but I wanted to add that.

Also, paradoxically, and somewhat ironically, if we realize that life has no true meaning in and of itself, we can let go of the expectation that we're "supposed to be happy!"

I have never been happier in my life even with the struggles I am dealing with right now. Being single & surrounded by awesome people & nature on my farm after a 33 year bad marriage & a dysfunctional childhood. Finding a normal, peaceful & happy life is the best my life has ever been. Think is says a lot for how unhappy my past environment was