Russell- Final Thoughts

 The latter portion of Russell’s text delves into the possibility and contemplation of ‘is happiness possible?’ Promptly engage in different aspects of life that contribute to life’s happiness. He begins the second half by suggesting that happiness in the modern world has become an impossibility. He conveys that happiness is fleeting and can easily dissipate by introspection. That the happiest of men are those involved in science or the sciences. It took me a minute to unpack what that meant in my own understanding. The sciences, to me, literally meant men of science, once again excluding women as when he speaks of women he typically mentions women; nonetheless, these men of science are the only happy individuals walking around and thus everyone else is merely unhappy by default. I did not like this conclusion that I summarized, so I tried to understand differently. Russell mentions that there is a difference (of happiness) made by education. Perhaps science equates to education, an educated individual, or someone with the access to education. I can wrap my brain around this concept with a little more ease. In this perception, I do agree that access to education can provide an added benefit to happiness. In no way, however, is it the only requirement towards a happy life, but an understanding of even the basics in education can help open doors of opportunities. Russell, “Perhaps the simplest way to describe the difference between the two sorts of happiness is to say that one sort is open to any human being, and the other only to those who can read and write.” 

A humble respect and awareness towards one's ability also contributes to the level of happiness. As Russell states, “The difference made by education is only in regard to the activities by which these pleasures are to be obtained. Pleasures of achievement demand difficulties such that beforehand success seems doubtful although in the end it is usually achieved. This is perhaps the chief reason why a not excessive estimate of one's own powers is a source of happiness. The man who underestimates himself is perpetually being surprised by success, whereas the man who overestimates himself is just as often surprised by failure.”  Relating back to men of science, Russell says the reason for their happiness is that the higher parts of their intelligence are wholly absorbed by their work, and are not allowed to intrude into regions where they have no functions to perform. This level of functionality can get to the point of being unhealthy. I believe there is a fine line to being absorbed in one’s work and finding that balance is partially crucial in the overall happiness in life. 

Russell goes on to mention other characteristics that factor into what creates happiness. A certain level of passion, zest,  belief in a cause, a friendly interest in people and family. Health and energy are necessary for zest. For women as for men, zest is the secret of happiness and well-being. However, For women, “zest has been greatly diminished by a mistaken conception of respectability.” Women are victimized by being taught not to be too lively in public and not to take too evident an interest in men. Once again, I feel this limits the magnitude of happiness women are allowed or allotted to achieve.  He suggests that “the secret of happiness is this: let your interests be as wide as possible, and let your reactions to the things and persons that interest you be as far as possible friendly rather than hostile.” However, who is this suggestion for. Simply men of science? Is it allowed for men not invested in science to have interest wide and deep. Are women limited to shallow interests? I do believe and agree that not possessing an outlet to engage our capabilities into can lead to a heavy level of discontent. I also fell that our society contributes to that discontent by insisting that happiness be labeled and divided into categories of who is worthy, or by sex. Seems idiotic that we place barries on something as lovely as happiness. Or that we insist that happiness itself is something we have to pursue. An act of effort. Tracing back to several weeks ago when we discussed that happiness can be found taking an extroverted look at others rather than an introverted labor within ourselves. If we limit the access to who can be happy, then we will never understand or fully achieve it.