Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Nearly Sane on October 20, 2016, 10:03:46 AM

Title: Happiness
Post by: Nearly Sane on October 20, 2016, 10:03:46 AM

At least as defined by some philosophers

http://tinyurl.com/hjj3pnh
Title: Re: Happiness
Post by: Aruntraveller on October 20, 2016, 10:18:51 AM
I rather like Thoreau's definition:

"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder"

It is certainly the one that most chimes with my personal experience.

(and btw the same applies to Robins in the garden)

Although it also fits quite happily with Aristotle's notion:

"Happiness depends upon ourselves"

An interesting read, thanks NS
Title: Re: Happiness
Post by: Steve H on October 20, 2016, 11:45:02 AM
Bertrand Russell lived in the early 19th Century? I don't think so!
Title: Re: Happiness
Post by: floo on October 20, 2016, 12:26:35 PM
Russell was born in 1872 and died in 1970.
Title: Re: Happiness
Post by: Steve H on October 20, 2016, 12:42:50 PM
Russell was born in 1872 and died in 1970.
Exactly - late 19th Century.
Title: Re: Happiness
Post by: ad_orientem on October 20, 2016, 03:55:57 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlYMID5qCdE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zei3xnivwFk
Title: Re: Happiness
Post by: Nearly Sane on October 20, 2016, 04:24:55 PM
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/happiness-happiness-the-greatest.68693/
Title: Re: Happiness
Post by: Brownie on October 20, 2016, 05:55:23 PM
'specially if you're French.
Title: Re: Happiness
Post by: Jack Knave on October 20, 2016, 07:05:58 PM
I rather like Thoreau's definition:

"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder"

It is certainly the one that most chimes with my personal experience.

(and btw the same applies to Robins in the garden)

Although it also fits quite happily with Aristotle's notion:

"Happiness depends upon ourselves"

An interesting read, thanks NS
...and then it deposits a little turd on your shoulder, laughs, and then flaps off to return another day."