Are you REALLY Happy? - Page 6 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

elchivito · #76 10-10-2012, 12:10 PM

I have found that the best way to be happy is to be grateful for the little plusses that happen throughout the day. Give thanks, all the time.

barry12345 · #77 10-10-2012, 01:11 PM

Aristotles writings in this area to me mean finding a good balance should enable the onset of happyness. Or feeling of well being at least.

Take a dog for example when his tail is wagging he is happy. Errect tail he is emotionally otherwise. Drooped down he is in a state of general balance and contentment. Down between their legs with apparent force in the situation can be fear anxiety and other negative things.

Nature may have short changed humans by not incorporating a tail in their evolution. Dogs are just an illustration of body language as a more direct method of their communication of emotions being incorporated. This to tell their fellows where they are at emotionally and mentally.

The instincts for them to do this have been well ingrained and incorporated over time. Position of their ears even is also a signifigant communicator. Strange that most humans do not even realise how dogs communicate so well. Or if aware how complex as they can add many variations in combination. Unlike humans their systems is pretty much automatic and cannot be deceptive or avoiding. Their current state in fact is there for any member of their specis to instantly understand. Humans should be able to pick up on the many variations.

For dogs to deal with humans is more complex but they do it. We may be able to reason better but there has been a heavy price paid for it.

Benzasaurus · #78 10-10-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

From what has been said, we can highlight the following features of Aristotle’s theory of happiness:

Happiness is the ultimate end and purpose of human existence
Happiness is not pleasure, nor is it virtue. It is the exercise of virtue.
Happiness cannot be achieved until the end of one’s life. Hence it is a goal and not a temporary state.
Happiness is the perfection of human nature. Since man is a rational animal, human happiness depends on the exercise of his reason.
Happiness depends on acquiring a moral character, where one displays the virtues of courage, generosity, justice, friendship, and citizenship in one’s life. These virtues involve striking a balance or “mean” between an excess and a deficiency.
Happiness requires intellectual contemplation, for this is the ultimate realization of our rational capacities.

I've always found virtue ethics appealing, but was a little disappointed this author glossed over the most important thing, to me, at least, which is citizenship.

Aristotle was all about how the exercise of virtue led to increase in virture, and that virtuous people were excellent citizens who were politically active and supported the operation of the state by their own activities on its behalf.

Benzasaurus · #79 10-10-2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

Aristotles writings in this area to me mean finding a good balance should enable the onset of happyness. Or feeling of well being at least.

Take a dog for example when his tail is wagging he is happy. Errect tail he is emotionally otherwise. Drooped down he is in a state of general balance and contentment. Down between their legs with apparent force in the situation can be fear anxiety and other negative things.

Nature may have short changed humans by not incorporating a tail in their evolution. Dogs are just an illustration of body language as a more direct method of their communication of emotions being incorporated. This to tell their fellows where they are at emotionally and mentally.

The instincts for them to do this have been well ingrained and incorporated over time. Position of their ears even is also a signifigant communicator. Strange that most humans do not even realise how dogs communicate so well. Or if aware how complex as they can add many variations in combination. Unlike humans their systems is pretty much automatic and cannot be deceptive or avoiding. Their current state in fact is there for any member of their specis to instantly understand. Humans should be able to pick up on the many variations.

For dogs to deal with humans is more complex but they do it. We may be able to reason better but there has been a heavy price paid for it.

You're so spot on. And something I've always found weird but lovable about dogs is how to get them to follow you or come when you call them—you have to turn away and walk away from them. Then they follow. They're so different. But wonderful.

elchivito · #80 10-10-2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

Aristotles writings in this area to me mean finding a good balance should enable the onset of happyness. Or feeling of well being at least.

Take a dog for example when his tail is wagging he is happy. Errect tail he is emotionally otherwise. Drooped down he is in a state of general balance and contentment. Down between their legs with apparent force in the situation can be fear anxiety and other negative things.

Nature may have short changed humans by not incorporating a tail in their evolution. Dogs are just an illustration of body language as a more direct method of their communication of emotions being incorporated. This to tell their fellows where they are at emotionally and mentally.

The instincts for them to do this have been well ingrained and incorporated over time. Position of their ears even is also a signifigant communicator. Strange that most humans do not even realise how dogs communicate so well. Or if aware how complex as they can add many variations in combination. Unlike humans their systems is pretty much automatic and cannot be deceptive or avoiding. Their current state in fact is there for any member of their specis to instantly understand. Humans should be able to pick up on the many variations.

For dogs to deal with humans is more complex but they do it. We may be able to reason better but there has been a heavy price paid for it.

I have long thought it would be cool to have a tail, especially a prehensile one, like having a third arm almost. I'd be happier if I had a tail, but I wouldn't wag it all the time and give myself away. Foolish dogs.

Jim B. · #81 10-10-2012, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

I have long thought it would be cool to have a tail, especially a prehensile one, like having a third arm almost. I'd be happier if I had a tail, but I wouldn't wag it all the time and give myself away. Foolish dogs.

Go to a Halloween store and get a nice red Devil's tail.

Let us know how that works out for ya, "Diablito"

The Clk Man · #82 10-11-2012, 06:50 PM

I started this thread because I recently asked myself this question, am I REALLY Happy? and my answer was no.

I thought that having a Benz would make me happy, it didn't.
I thought that drinking beer most of the time would make me happy, it didn't
I thought buying anything I wanted would make me happy, it didn't.

I did a lot of soul searching and praying to the Lord. I am NOW REALLY HAPPY. The Lord's will in my life makes me happy. I am going to spend the rest of my days worshiping Him. Praise God.

The Swede · #83 10-11-2012, 07:31 PM

I'm very content since I got sober and saw how belief in God was detrimental to me.

aklim · #84 10-11-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

I'm very content since I got sober and saw how belief in God was detrimental to me.

Hmmm. I was drunk when I came to that realization.

ramonajim · #85 10-11-2012, 09:45 PM

I am as happy as my utterly flawed human self allows. I have every reason to be unconditionally happy - spectacular partner (aka Darling Wife), job I love, reasonable health, comfortable living conditions, enough cars in the fleet that quantity "needs to be driven" at any point in time is unlikely to exceed "able to be driven" and enough greenbacks in the pipeline to keep us (me, Ed, Darling Wife, 12 cats, 2 dogs, 2 horses (+ parts of other horse's care), ex-wife, 4 kidlets, and all the rest) at least 2.6875 steps above starving.

Life is good. My job is to never forget that. Sometimes I fail at that assignment. Working to make sure that I remember just how bloody lucky I am every minute of every day.

t walgamuth · #86 10-11-2012, 11:27 PM

Got my sixth granddaughter today, to go with six grandsons. Cute as a bug.

I'm very happy about it.

tbomachines · #87 10-12-2012, 09:38 AM

I'm really happy that after 2 years of going back and forth with vehicle theft officers at the DMV that my car is finally "officially" vin tagged properly as of this morning.

engatwork · #88 10-12-2012, 09:54 AM

congratulations Tom

oldsinner111 · #89 10-12-2012, 10:20 AM

I'm not happy,married stuck in red neck tennessee.When I belong Home in San Pedro California.

spdrun · #90 10-12-2012, 10:22 AM

Plane tickets are cheap.