Fame and Happiness

I do not want to be famous, I am wanting to be happy.

Allan David, Artist

Happiness

Watching BBC World, I saw a link to a report on happiness. The question of happiness is interesting. It is becoming apparent that happiness (pleasure without desire) is caused by brain states. If these brain states can be achieved through meditation, medication, and other forms of manipulation, then does the experiencing of happiness – the goal of utilitarian theory – have any value as a moral end?

When the person enjoys his or her work, whether it is paid or unpaid work, and feels that it is meaningful and important, this contributes to life satisfaction [1].

This is problematic from the view that life has no intrinsic meaning, which implies that happiness is derivative and artificial:

…another key ingredient is to have important goals that derive from one’s values, and to make progress toward those goals [1].

This is an invitation to join the Red Queen, if making progress becomes an end, then satisfaction can never be obtained.

[1] Test your happiness.