Unhappy?

pachyderm · 02-20-2021, 10:08 AM

How Evolution Made Us Unhappy | Psychology Today

Quote:

Gustave Flaubert was of the opinion that the three necessary conditions for happiness were stupidity, selfishness, and good health. Of the three, stupidity was the most important, he thought.

Instead, evolution seems to have bequeathed us with intelligence, altruism, and fragile health. It certainly prioritised the development of a big frontal lobe in our brain (which gives us excellent executive and analytical skills) over a natural ability to be happy. This tells us a lot about Nature’s priorities.

Nature doesn’t select the happiest individuals, but the fittest, in an evolutionary process that highlights fear and discourages contentment. Our chronically unhappy species is the product of such a process.

Not that evolution and natural selection have any particular plans. Evolution doesn’t want to go anywhere. It certainly doesn’t want to go anywhere better.

Now you know!

unaluna · 02-20-2021, 01:17 PM

That explains a lot!

WovenGalaxy · 02-21-2021, 09:20 PM

I love this.

BethRags · 02-23-2021, 04:38 PM

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

WastingAsparagus · 02-23-2021, 05:41 PM

That made me laugh. Thanks for that.

Travelinglady · 02-25-2021, 05:28 PM

Interesting ideas--but I don't agree!

UnpopularTiger · 02-27-2021, 03:28 PM

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.

downandlonely · 02-27-2021, 04:07 PM

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

Breaking Dawn · 02-27-2021, 04:21 PM

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.

mainrain · 03-05-2021, 03:22 AM

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.

02-20-2021, 01:17 PM	#2
unaluna Elder Harridan x-hankster unaluna The UNA in Florida - Please, dont @mention me?Thanks! Member Since: Jun 2011 Location: Milan/Michigan Posts: 35,290 (SuperPoster!) 54.8k hugs given	Re: Unhappy? That explains a lot!
	Reply With Quote

02-21-2021, 09:20 PM	#3
WovenGalaxy Grand Poohbah WovenGalaxy has no updates. Member Since: Sep 2019 Location: Earth Posts: 1,587 (SuperPoster!) 2,538 hugs given	Re: Unhappy? I love this.
	Reply With Quote

02-23-2021, 04:38 PM	#4
BethRags ~remember to breathe~ BethRags is practicing healthy breathing for brain, mind, body, spirit. Member Since: Jul 2019 Location: Downtown California Posts: 7,257 (SuperPoster!) 8,664 hugs given	Re: Unhappy? But define "happiness." Stupid happiness isn't the same feeling as the deep gratification that some people feel through being altruistic, for example. __________________ -Beth
	Reply With Quote

02-23-2021, 05:41 PM	#5
WastingAsparagus Magnate WastingAsparagus is trying to enjoy life. Member Since: Mar 2014 Location: Nada Posts: 2,346 1,183 hugs given	Re: Unhappy? That made me laugh. Thanks for that. __________________ "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”
	Reply With Quote

02-25-2021, 05:28 PM	#6
Travelinglady Legendary Wise Elder Travelinglady has eye and wrist problems now, too. :( Member Since: Sep 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 41,362 (SuperPoster!) 20k hugs given	Re: Unhappy? Interesting ideas--but I don't agree! __________________
	Reply With Quote

Site Navigation

Unhappy?

My Support Forums

02-27-2021, 03:28 PM	#7
UnpopularTiger Member UnpopularTiger has no updates. Member Since: Feb 2021 Location: Southern California Posts: 37	Re: Unhappy? 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.
	Reply With Quote

02-27-2021, 04:07 PM	#8
downandlonely Moderator Community Support Team downandlonely has no updates. Member Since: Mar 2018 Location: United States Posts: 5,079 (SuperPoster!) 2,462 hugs given	Re: Unhappy? Volunteering brings me happiness. And I agree that it's different from the happiness that comes from stupidity and not knowing better.
	Reply With Quote

02-27-2021, 04:21 PM	#9
Breaking Dawn Grand Magnate Breaking Dawn Thankful for my blessings. Member Since: Sep 2019 Location: USA Posts: 4,880 (SuperPoster!) 20.9k hugs given	Re: Unhappy? 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. __________________ "Every moment is a fresh beginning." (T. S. Eliot) "Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines."(Robert H. Schiuller) * * * * * * * * * * *
	Reply With Quote

03-05-2021, 03:22 AM	#10
mainrain Member mainrain has no updates. Member Since: Oct 2018 Location: Seattle Posts: 51 18 hugs given	Re: Unhappy? 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.
	Reply With Quote

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode