The Two Paths to Happiness: Pleasure vs. Virtue

The Pursuit of Happiness: A Dual Pathway

Several years ago, Darrin McMahon, a distinguished professor at Florida State University, penned an insightful book exploring the history of happiness. In Happiness: A History, he outlines two distinct routes that individuals have followed in their quest for a fulfilling lifeone centered on pleasure and the other on virtue.

The Pursuit of Pleasure as Pathway to Happiness

The most instinctive perspective we hold is that a life brimming with delight will lead us to happiness. Indeed, the feeling of pleasure brings instant gratification that often translates into good times. This connection between pleasure and happiness has been popularized by many figures throughout history.

Sigmund Freud famously proposed that s' sole purpose in life is to seek happiness through sexual fulfillment. He argued that sex acts as the primary source for all happiness, which has potentially fueled the sexual revolution of the '60s and continues to shape contemporary views on sexuality.

Yet, over centuries, social critics have observed a paradox: while pleasure provides temporary delight, it cannot guarantee uring happiness. Pleasure's insatiable demand is perpetually at odds with reality. It has the potential to imprison rather than fulfill individuals.

McMahon highlights that throughout history, people have sought happiness through higher pursuitssuch as God, virtue, or the harmonious balance within their soul. Happiness was viewed not just an outcome but also a reward for living ethically well.

The Path of Virtue in Pursuit of Happiness

Thomas Jefferson, renowned for authoring the Declaration of Indepence and famously declaring rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, emphasized that happiness stems from virtuous living. Similarly, Benjamin Franklin, a signer on the same document, stated virtue and happiness are mother and daughter. This indicates both men believed one cannot achieve true happiness without cultivating virtue.

C.S. Lewis, an authority in classical and medieval literature scholar, underscored the critical role of character and virtue in navigating life's complexities. Works like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien reinforce this belief that strong character is necessary to face moral dilemmas.

In Today’s World: Loss of Moral Vocabulary

Alas, contemporary society places less emphasis on cultivating virtuous lives than ever before. In a recent study conducted by Christian Smith at Notre Dame University, most college students struggled when asked to identify the most recent moral dilemma they faced. Only three out of ten students could come up with .

Journalist David Brooks highlighted that today’s teenagers have lost their ability to articulate discussions about character. When queried on whether professors teach character development at Princeton University, many responded positively but admitted to lacking guidance in how to instill it within students. This mirrors the broader society's confusion around morality and ethics.

What does Virtue Mean?

When we reflect on character-building, virtues such as honesty, integrity, diligence, frness, selflessness are often mentioned. However, at its core, character is about self-controlthe ability to manage desires.

As individuals grow in character, they develop the discipline needed for restrnt. It's through this discipline that our true identity and life purpose become clearer.

How to Cultivate Virtue?

Becoming a person of moral strength isn't merely an act of willpower; it requires divine intervention. As one early Christian leader aptly stated:

The historical Christian fth is centered on the life-changing work of God within the soul.

A crucial part of this transformation involves shaping character, which ultimately guides our decisions and impacts every aspect of our lives.

In , the pursuit of happiness isn't merely a journey to personal fulfillment but also one that requires moral fortitude. It's through cultivating virtues like self-control and honesty that we navigate life with purpose and direction.
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