What does the meaning of life have to do with happiness? Some philosophers believe that the meaning of life lies in the pursuit of happiness, but I feel that it is not complete. Because the meaning of life and happiness are both different and related:
First, the difference
1. The objects are different
The meaning of life lies in the contribution to society and the realization of self, emphasizing social attributes; while happiness is more about the degree of satisfaction of individual needs, emphasizing individual sensitivity.
2. The scope is different
The meaning of life focuses on transforming the world, so that the infinity of social needs and the limitation of social resources can be balanced, while happiness is more of a balance between the infinity of individual needs and the limited resources needed by individuals.
3. The results are different
There is no necessary linear relationship between the meaning of life and happiness, that is to say, the heavier the meaning of life, the happier it is; the happier it is, it does not necessarily bring about a heavier meaning of life. And the state of happiness disappears with the passing of life, but the meaning of life may be passed on for a long time.
2. Contact
Meaning and happiness in life are two sides of the same coin, and they can transform into each other, like the relationship between matter and energy. But to illustrate better, to take a not-so-appropriate example, life is like a spaceship, the meaning of life is the destination of the spaceship, and happiness is like the energy system of the spaceship.
(Image from Petals Network)
therefore:
1. The meaning of life that is detached from happiness is nothing and impossible to achieve
To find the so-called meaning of life without satisfying the need for happiness is a kind of nihilistic meaning of life. Such a meaning of life cannot be attained. It's like a spaceship that loses power and can never reach its destination in life. In real life, it is illusory to cut off physical happiness and blindly pursue religious significance.
2. Happiness in the light sense of life, its amount is small and the level is low
The light meaning of life means that the destination of life is very close, and at this time we do not need much energy, that is, less energy is generated, and the level of energy is also low. This means that the amount of happiness is small and the level is also low. In real life, this happiness may only be physical happiness. Is short-lived unsustainable. The contribution to society is also small. Not in line with mainstream values.
In summary, the meaning of our lives and our happiness need to be synergistic:
The meaning of life needs to be reasonably sought and set according to its own characteristics, and constantly upgrade its own happiness level and quantity to match the meaning of life; when the happiness level and quantity match the meaning of life, it will have a qualitative improvement, at this time, the meaning of life changes, and the attributes of happiness also need to be upgraded accordingly, alternately, spiraling upwards. Simply put, our life spaceship needs to set a reasonable destination, if the setting is not reasonable, such as the destination is very dangerous, the spaceship does not have strong armor to resist the danger, it may crash, at the same time, if the destination is too far, and our equal volume system is too low-level, then it will not reach the destination. Only by setting a reasonable destination and constantly transforming itself and the energy system can we finally reach the destination. Such a life will be a well-rounded life, but also a happy life. The society of such a person will also be a happy society.
