The Problems of Following Your Passions

(Philosocom's Subcategory Directory on Dilemmas and Problems)

(Philosocom's Directory on Happiness)

Article Synopsis by Ms. Gabbi Grace

"The Problems of Following Your Passions" is an insightful and thought-provoking article that critiques the romanticized notion of passion as a universal key to success and fulfillment.

Mr. Tomasio presents a nuanced perspective on the idea of passion, rejecting the simplistic notion that it always leads to happiness. The article uses engaging illustrations to illustrate the potential consequences of unbridled passion in a real-world context, making the argument more tangible.

The author advocates for a balanced approach, stating that passion should not be abandoned altogether but must be tempered with consideration for others and awareness of long-term consequences. This balance encourages readers to pursue their passions while remaining mindful of how their actions affect themselves and those around them.

The article also touches on the ethical dimension of pursuing passion, particularly in relation to others' well-being. By critiquing "Reckless Individualism," the article raises important questions about empathy, responsibility, and the interconnectedness of people in society. This is a valuable reflection, reminding readers that they do not live in a vacuum and that their choices have wider implications.

The insightful conclusion suggests that the pursuit of wisdom—much like the pursuit of passion—can never fully satisfy, adding a philosophical depth to the piece. This insight encourages readers to embrace the ongoing nature of personal growth rather than expecting a static state of happiness.

In conclusion, "The Problems of Following Your Passions" presents a valuable critique of the often romanticized notion of passion, offering important reflections on the need for balance, consideration, and wisdom in the pursuit of happiness.

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Part I: A Critique of Personal Passions

Is it true that happiness can only be attained by following our passions? No, it is not necessarily or always true. It isn't always true when, going passion after passion, we may still find ourselves unhappy. It is a cycle of endless desire. Passion is not the only thing that fuels life, and thinking so may indicate a narrow mind.

Seeing passion as life's ultimate goal is problematic when it comes to other people and other circumstances that need to be considered. Harmony, like passion, is very important not only as an aspiration, but to happiness as well.

A Theoretical Case Example

Let's say there is someone whose passion is listening to loud music all the time, and that person lives in a neighborhood with other people who prefer quiet and serenity. Let's also say that without extremely loud music, the person becomes bored, meaning unhappy and unsatisfied. Let's say they refuse to compromise for headphones.

One day, after giving up on accepting this reality of living, the person's neighbor has had enough with the music. Not only does he hate it, he becomes so annoyed that he can't focus on his job—he's too busy being anxious about going home—to the point where he is fired. Now, the neighbor is unemployed, and all because of the person with a huge appetite for loud music. The neighbor knocks on the person's door, but the person can't hear the constant knocks because they're too busy listening to a special song they really like.

Eventually, the neighbor can't take it anymore and calls the police. Shortly after, two police officers fined the music-loving person with such a heavy fine that they can't pay their rent, which is due tomorrow.

Now, here was the root of this problem. The guy followed his to passion to listen to loud music without caring for the desire of some people for peace. He still refused to put on headphones all the way to the life of homelessness. Is he happy now, knowing he might be kicked out of his apartment—because of his passion?

Problem.

Part II: Looking The Bigger Picture

You see, there are other things besides passion that are required for happiness and well-being. I'm not saying it's bad to follow one's passion, I'm saying that life is much more than the individual quest for happiness, and the things that reside in the wide zone may have a huge impact on that happiness, for good or for bad.

Your passions could get in the way of other people's passions for instance. It could be a problem because none of you live in a vacuum, and this could get people conflicted with each other due to their personal pursuits. However, no matter the intensity of our emotions, or the faith in our ambitions, living in a more-healthy society means that some compromises must be made to a degree. In turn, being more collectivist in mindset, as seen in African Communalism, could help foster a more compassionate, peaceful society.

We cannot therefore discard the existence of other people if we want to live in happiness, least other people will actively work to diminish our good spirits. Whether through revenge or through manipulative authority, people heavily rejected by ourselves could get back at us.

However, by considering other people, they might feel compelled to consider us as well. We should consider the benefits of being beacons of light to other people's darkness, if we ourselves want to live in happiness.

When Pretending Others Do Not Matter

That is, of course, unless you live in the wilderness, away from any being, and sustain yourself from nature.

Of course, could live both as a hermit and a thief, like Chirstopher Knight, who survived 27 years in that position. However, how can you expect to be satisfied for the long term when you are under the constant threat of getting caught by the authorities? And indeed, due to his pure self-serving crimes, meant for survival, Knight was jailed accordingly.

Part III: Lambasting Personal Recklessness

The problem I find with what I call Reckless Individualism or the "I-Don't-Give-a-Damn-ism" is that it is so narrow-minded, and having a narrow mind is the exact opposite of wisdom: It is a variant in individualism that asks: Why should I care about other people's suffering if I am better and more important than them? That is the headline of this popular approach to life. In bias it confirms to the idea of: "Every man for himself".

It's an approach that could led to the deaths of those who need more considering in order to survive: Those who struggle with independence. Those who struggle fitting in to a conformist society. Those dependent on medications. In other words, the weaker layers of society. The suicidial can also fit into this category.

Our decisions have an affect on the outside world. We need to care, or extreme situations where people will kill themselves, will only increase. The biggest asset of reckless individualism is apathy. Apathy can traumatize, and traumas can lead to mental health issues.

The Antidote of Wisdom

Wisdom is all about looking at the big picture and minding every aspect in that picture, and each of their relations to other aspects. Some people, I guess, lack the intellect, empathy, or both, to do it. Most, perhaps.

I assume that if the person in the scenario I gave would mind the presence of other neighbors and their potential reactions to the person's passion for music, they would be able to compromise for the big picture that is the building they live in. Then, no harm—or minimal harm—would've been made. Of course, the now-homeless neighbor would have the money to make ends meet if they were just way more considerate.

Part IV: Will Our Passions Lead Us to Happiness, Necessarily?

Those who feel passion in their hearts automatically considered as happy people? Let's say that one's passion is drugs. They are so passionate about them that they become addicted, and when they cannot take a dose, they become depressed. Even if they would take a dose and thus have the sensation they seek—they are well aware that they are in an infinite loop; a depressing loop that borders on despair… This is an example where following one's passions does not bring happiness, but the exact opposite.

However, one can be happy even if they do not pursue their passion—other things in which they do not have that much passion for can make them happy regardless of their passions. I may want, for instance, to eat a candy. But no—the candy is not healthy for me. Yet, it's my passion. Perhaps if I ate something healthier I would be happier regardless of my passion for candies? Perhaps if I get an illness due to a developing sugar addiction, I won't necessarily find the happiness I desire?

Also, there is the criticism that passion isn't happiness, but a type of misery. It is known as the passion trap. Our passions may make it difficult for us to accept the present. And as long as we do not accept the present, we can't be happy.

We will either depend ourselves on the external world's mercy for our wellbeing, or we will ruthlessly work towards the change we wish to see in this world. Either way, happiness mainly depends on being able to be in the present state. And, you might find yourself feeling better if you pursued morality instead of your personal whims.

Conclusion

Ultimately, there are two conclusions from all of this:

• Passion alone is not always sufficient in the pursuit of happiness. This can be avoided by developing a more-holistic approach.

  
  

• There are some passions that could lead to the exact opposite of happiness, even if they may give us short-term satisfaction beforehand. Also, we might also regret pursuing our passions, thus subverting their initial intent.

Thus, other factors should also be considered in the pursuit of happiness, from having good health to avoiding justified, yet avoidable, punishment.

Extra Notes

Please note: I am not saying you should not follow your passions at all. I am only saying that there are also other factors and circumstances to consider, so that the pursuit of your passions does not become an unnecessary double-edged sword. Otherwise, if these passions do not become counter-intuitive to your ambitions, and do not really cause unnecessary harm in this world... Maybe following your passions aren't necessarily as problematic?

Either way, the philosopher can never be truly satisfied, compared to the rare sage, who attained an immense amount of wisdom, not much further inquiry might be required.

As long as the philosopher is looking for wisdom by philosophizing, they will, never, be satisfied, completely. It's because you're always looking for something you lack. As your passion for wisdom grows, so is the suffering of currently being ignorant.

This understanding brings me peace.