- Joined
- Apr 4, 2003
- Posts
- 3,715
- Likes
- 64
- Location
- Searching.
- AFL Club
- Geelong
- Other Teams
- Fulham + NJN
Thread starter
#1
I was recently discussing with a friend the ability to 'attain happiness'. Without a clear definition of 'happiness' it is near-impossible to answer the question.
The literal definition of happiness:
1. Good fortune, success; an instance of this.
2. Pleasant appropriateness, felicity; an instance of this.
3. Deep pleasure in, or contentment with, one's circumstances; an instance of this.
For some reason however, this does not totally satisfy my definition of happiness.
Everybody is different (obviously) and for some, option 1 (Good fortune) may be the attainment of happiness. Although, i cannot think of somebody who would consider success 'happiness' as such.
Option 2 & 3 are a more realistic definition of 'happiness'. 'Felicity' and 'happiness' is a tautlogy, which does nothing for defining happiness in reality. Pleasant appropriateness however is a fraction different. I feel it carries...almost an air of obligation. What is 'appropriate' is not always what we want...and for me, 'happiness' is what i want.
Definition of 'appropriateness'
1. Attached or belonging (to) as an attribute, quality, or right; peculiar (to); inherent, characteristic; specially suitable (for, to); proper, fitting.
2. Annexed or attached (to) as a possession, appropriated; esp. (Ecclesiastical) annexed as a benefice to a monastery.
Should add that the second part of definition 2 is now obsolete.
Going back to the definition of happiness, option 3, sums it up for me.
Deep pleasure in, or contentment with, one's circumstances; an instance of this.
That is definitely my personal definition - or the most accurate when applied literally.
However, is it possible to be totally 'content' with one's situation? It just seems there is always an obstacle of some kind, which prevents one from being truly happy.
I'm not sure, what do you all think?
The literal definition of happiness:
1. Good fortune, success; an instance of this.
2. Pleasant appropriateness, felicity; an instance of this.
3. Deep pleasure in, or contentment with, one's circumstances; an instance of this.
For some reason however, this does not totally satisfy my definition of happiness.
Everybody is different (obviously) and for some, option 1 (Good fortune) may be the attainment of happiness. Although, i cannot think of somebody who would consider success 'happiness' as such.
Option 2 & 3 are a more realistic definition of 'happiness'. 'Felicity' and 'happiness' is a tautlogy, which does nothing for defining happiness in reality. Pleasant appropriateness however is a fraction different. I feel it carries...almost an air of obligation. What is 'appropriate' is not always what we want...and for me, 'happiness' is what i want.
Definition of 'appropriateness'
1. Attached or belonging (to) as an attribute, quality, or right; peculiar (to); inherent, characteristic; specially suitable (for, to); proper, fitting.
2. Annexed or attached (to) as a possession, appropriated; esp. (Ecclesiastical) annexed as a benefice to a monastery.
Should add that the second part of definition 2 is now obsolete.
Going back to the definition of happiness, option 3, sums it up for me.
Deep pleasure in, or contentment with, one's circumstances; an instance of this.
That is definitely my personal definition - or the most accurate when applied literally.
However, is it possible to be totally 'content' with one's situation? It just seems there is always an obstacle of some kind, which prevents one from being truly happy.
I'm not sure, what do you all think?

