PHIL 3160 – Philosophy of Happiness

What is it, how can we best pursue it, why should we? Supporting the study of these and related questions at Middle Tennessee State University and beyond. "Examining the concept of human happiness and its application in everyday living as discussed since antiquity by philosophers, psychologists, writers, spiritual leaders, and contributors to pop culture."

Friday, December 3, 2021

How to Spend the "Good Old Days" (by: Jacob Cuva)

 Part 1: Present Status

Here is a short clip from an old friend of many of ours (surely). This quote from Andy Bernard of the hit NBC Show "The Office" is one that has impacted my life ever since I saw the episode for the first time several years ago. 



Says Andrew: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them." 


The good news about why this feels so relevant to myself at the moment is that, well, I believe I am here. I am currently in a time where, despite some of the natural hardships that we all go through during any given point in our lives, I feel that there are still a couple major aspects of my life that I feel are at the best they've ever been. From a successful surgery a few weeks ago that has since saved me from missing out on much of life because of varying levels of crippling pain/discomfort , to the mere fact that my #1 "professional" job right now is to learn all day. Sure, even to these major points, there are some complications and perhaps things could be easier, but although it's a bit of a cliche to say, I'm actually thankful for some of the hardest parts of life that I have gone through so far. Not because of my incessant masochism, but rather because they've helped make dealing with future struggles somewhat more manageable. 


I could continue to ramble about my own life but instead I'll jump back to expanding on the topic. 

(Quick note: By saying I'm in the time of my life, I don't actually consider this "peaking" by any means. I don't think being young necessarily makes you more happy, just ask...well, a lot of us. I am just acknowledging that there are enough aspects of my life that I can't image being much better, and haven't up until now.) 


Part 2: Carl Sagan vs My Dopamine Levels

Felt the need to resurface this gem


As someone who's spiritual beliefs alas do not align with an afterlife, watching this video really put my hedonistic and mainly selfish "Go. Get. Next. Fast. NOW" agenda to halt. Seeing Morgan Freeman tell me a similar thing to what Sagan discusses here on "Through the Wormhole" when I was 10 was a real curveball, especially considering I went to private Catholic schools from 4-12th grade. 
I think about death all the time, and, full disclosure, have always dreaded it. Funny enough, after watching this in class for the first time, I think about it constantly as well. Perhaps paradoxical to the Part 2 title, Sagan here actually made me feel for the first time connected to everyone else on this dot. 
If only he would have pointed to another planet at the end and said "See that? That's where we go when we die. Physical body and all!"


Heres the new problem (Us whiners simply love to find new ones): 

I am aware of how lucky I am right now in my life and try to remain as appreciative as I can to every sunset, every dog (or cat if you're in the wrong), every good nights rest, and every person I love. However, (now crying and simultaneously laughing as I write this) I cant image something that could hurt worse than saying goodbye to this all. 

(Is there a name for "anti-suicidal tendencies"?  Perhaps one could consider that a metric of happiness.)

Part 3: Enjoy it, dummy. 

This class has taught me so much more than I could have imagined going into it. 
I have been blown away be the level of intellect and wisdom held by each and every one in it as well as the bunch of dead guys we read books about. 



So, how should one spend their "Good old days"?

Perhaps bundling up in a bed of existential dread and anxiety be not the way. It's certainly not what James would have wanted. 
Montaigne also had some helpful words of positivity on the matter:

“If you don't know how to die, don't worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully and adequately. She will do this job perfectly for you; don't bother your head about it.”



Although it will probably look a bit differently for everyone;

Perhaps all one can do is take advantage of knowing when the time has come to say a cosmic thank you to the many beautiful things that earth and its inhabitants have to offer. And knowing that, one day, they will continue to be here even when you wont. 

(natural disasters and AI apocalypses excluded)



Thank you all. 

- Jake

2 comments:

  1. Wonderful. I too wish I could go and find Carl and other admirable humans on a planet somewhere, and then reside there in perpetuity. But perhaps it's enough to know that this, and every time of life on earth, can be the best time of life if we're committed to accepting the gift of life as it's been given... and to paying our gratitude forward.

    So glad your surgery has been restorative for you. I can relate!

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  2. I, too, am so glad your surgery and recovery were successful! I look forward to staying in touch for many years to come!

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