Well, of course this text is only centered around the psychological consideration for happiness and not happiness in the sense of the value term; but I would have to agree; however, with the fact that happiness cannot simply be equal or the same as well-being because there are other factors (that one would have to take into account,) that when summed up, equate to well-being, for each individual, as a whole.
That being said, and looking at happiness in terms of a psychological description, I do see why happiness; even narrowing it down to a psychological state, becomes such a topic of debate.
Considering the two aspects to be considered within the psychological theories, surrounding the term and meaning, of the word happiness: state of mind and a life gone well; I feel as though happiness could actually be a combination of the two.
Although I do not agree with the first case, in which, psychologically speaking, some believe that happiness is not valuable at all. I would have to agree with the second case, which gives prudential value to happiness.
But at the same time, like I said, I do not think that happiness is equal to well-being; nor that they are in essence, in or of the same thing.
However I do lean strongly towards the individuality factor, within the article, which discusses how we consider that what benefits one person, may not benefit another; or what one person desires, may not be desirable, to another.
I feel like this is because what each of us values within our lives are different, because we are all different; and even if two people were to say value the same things, they are still individuals; and they may value those same things, but at different degrees. The saying that comes to mind, when considering this factor, for me is: "what's good for the goose, is not always good for the gander." I feel like two individuals, could even have the similar morals and ethics (in terms of virtues they posses;) and possibly even the same religious (or non-religious outlooks on life;) yet could still value similar attributes to their happiness at differing degrees.
I also feel like the topic of how we feel towards other people's success and happiness or misfortune, to me at least, seems like a tricky area of discussion. It is also subjective to individuality, in my mind. Because while I would have sympathy for someone who was doing poorly, there are always some individuals; regardless of the reason, that will rejoice actually in the misfortune of someone else. And while we should rejoice in the good fortunes of others, as the text does state, there are those who envy when someone else is doing well.
While often, I would agree with the aristotleans, that a life will lived- a life full of virtuous activity, in which one fills their human capacity to the fullest extent; should be most desirable, I also feel that one cannot an honesty say that one is truly happy, without ever fully receiving anything outside of those virtues, that attributed to their happiness; other than the happiness they received by just doing what was right, throughout the course of a life.
While I agree to some extent that a happy life could be a balance of pleasant and unpleasant experiences, to some extent; I would have to lean more towards the life satisfaction theory, which gives an affirmation of the happiness one feels about one's life as a whole; and also feel some agreement towards the emotional state view with the different categories that make up once happiness. I think again for me the term that comes to mind is individuality- we all come from different heredity, different social backgrounds; and what makes each of us unique, and even makes each of us have perhaps a differing set of virtues or moral standards, and of course what makes each of us happy, will always be different, and unique, just as we are.
I for one feel that the Gallup world pole study on life satisfaction is an inaccurate account, of the relationship between material and prosperity and life satisfaction. I feel that happiness is a very big component of life satisfaction; and I do not feel that happiness comes in material form.
As an individual I have always found perspective to be a very interesting topic. As it relates to this reading, one onlooker could see someone with a high household income, and luxury conveniences; as someone who has everything together, and could mistakenly assume that that person is happy. Meanwhile they could feel sorrow for a family let's say that is struggling through homelessness; however, not realizing that the true calculation of the homeless family's happiness, is in actuality, quite higher than that of the family who is better off in terms of material value. Especially over the past couple of years with the pandemic, and the astronomical number of families suffering through homelessness; and if one were to watch some of the advertisements of companies like rocket mortgage, which released videos, to broadcast the severity of the problem of homelessness in our nation right now; I would think that even more so than ever, it would be obvious that the calculations of people reporting to be happy even in homelessness, would be even higher than usual.
For me I even feel that some things that make us feel happy, can also create additional talents, etc; and in essence create additional happiness in us; and also can create additional happiness in which we want to share with others, through those talents. I guess what I'm saying is that I believe there are different tiers of happiness; someone could be happy in their relationship for instance, and it could make them so happy that they find talents within them, that they feel like they could share with the world; and from sharing those talents with the world they couldn't essence create additional happiness in other people.
At any rate, I definitely see why happiness is such a hot topic of debate amongst philosophers. I for one do believe in God, and a heaven; however, much like my views on happiness, I feel that each individuals version of heaven, is different from anyone else's. Just as I feel that each individual's definition of happiness is different. And also, that there are different tiers and aspects that make up our happiness as a whole; and that the happiness of our lives as we see them overall can also change over time through life experiences.
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