The Fabric of Happiness (By Ms. Tamara Moskal)

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(Philosocom's Directory on Happiness)

Article Synopsis by Mr. C. Kingsley and Co.

The Fabric of Happiness is an insightful article that explores happiness through the lens of philosophy and positive psychology. Ms. Moskal incorporates ideas from various thinkers, such as Aristotle, Laozi, Bertrand Russell, and Nietzsche, connecting their timeless wisdom to the modern-day concept of happiness. The article highlights different dimensions of happiness, from Aristotle's focus on personal agency to Nietzsche's vision of power and self-overcoming.

The integration of Martin Seligman's positive psychology and the PERMA model is a key strength, providing actionable guidelines for readers interested in applying theory to practice.

The article avoids oversimplifying happiness, acknowledging that it is not a constant state of bliss but rather a baseline state of well-being supported by positive mental practices, self-awareness, and resilience. The connection between genetics, personal choice, and life circumstances offers a more nuanced view that resonates with scientific research.

In conclusion, The Fabric of Happiness is an insightful article that combines philosophical wisdom with modern psychology to provide a comprehensive discussion on happiness.

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The Article's Main Question

Why do some people seem happier than others under the same circumstances? Is Happiness innate or a skill to be learned? If so, what should we know and do to live a good life?

I will answer these questions by combining timeless quotes from prominent philosophers with positive psychology, a relatively new school of thought concerning eudaimonia or human flourishing. 

Part I: The One-Sentence-Happiness of Aristotle, Laozi, Bernard Russell, and Friedrich Nietzsche 

Through the ages, philosophers have been fascinated with the concept of Happiness and have provided many different theories and guidelines for achieving it. I chose the following four quotes to illustrate the various ideas.

• "Happiness depends upon ourselves," wrote Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, believing that Happiness comes from within and is independent of external factors. 

• "If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present," were the words of Laozi, a Chinese thinker, describing Happiness as the art of paying full attention to activities in the present moment.  

• Bernard Russell, a British mathematician, scientist, and philosopher, believed Happiness could be found in surrendering to love. He wrote: "Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness," 

• The German philosopher Nietzsche sought Happiness in liberating power: "Happiness is the feeling that power increases—that resistance is being overcome."

Quotes on Happiness Explained

Aristotle's idea that Happiness comes from within was correct, because our mindset and choices are critical factors for a good life. External pleasures, societal successes, and comforts are pleasant additions, but don't make us happy.

Instead, they can contribute to the addictive Hedonist treadmill of novelty, which makes us crave the next shot of "feel-good hormones." A long-lasting state of Happiness results from persistent mental practice, a healthy lifestyle, and disciplined dedication to both throughout life. 

People are not born equal, and some will struggle more than others. Those born into prosperity, health, Love, safety, and democratic freedom grow up in surroundings favorable for cultivating habits that lead to Happiness and Maslow's self-actualization. In countries and depraved communities of oppression, brutality, and poverty, fewer people will ever experience Happiness because most of them live to survive only. 

The importance of Russell's True Love and Nietzche's Power are two distinct ideas about achieving Happiness and self-actualization. 

True Love, intimacy, and mental connectivity are natural human flourishing conditions for tranquility and mental stability. On the other hand, Nietzsche's vision of the powerful Ubermensch embodies self-actualization through victory over weakness and the slave mind. 

These are not paradoxical ideas but complementary ones, like the opposing sides of Ying and Yang, which form a circle of existence, a balance. Similarly, Happiness is a balance in life, an ability to bring the opposite emotions to the baseline of serenity, Love, self-respect, and inner power. 

Laozi's quote addresses the significance of living in the present because depression and anxiety are two monstrous antagonists of the good life. Mental health problems may be hereditary and are challenging to treat. Those who want to overcome their demons and live in a peaceful present require inner strength and determination to change how they think.

Medicines may be the best and only option in some cases, but even though self-awareness, meditation, and relaxation techniques are crucial. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, a structured, disciplined life, and having loving and supportive relationships are vital for a good life. 

The present moment is the only time we have physical power over our lives because we can make a difference. The past can teach us from experience, but we can't change anything about it, and therefore, staying mentally in the past will not bring back anything we lost or improve the current situation. Staying in the past too long can be depressing due to our inability to act. Also, some significant memories can be biased because we view them with emotional subjectivity. 

The future is the most uncertain factor in human existence because we can only assume what happens next with a greater or lesser probability of occurrence. This lack of control and the factor of the unknown bring anxiety. Anxiety has a vital warning function for survival but is a hindrance in the context of the ongoing uncertainty of the future.

Being anxious does not alter the future or help us get desirable results. Instead, we should plan strategically and prepare with faith that we will achieve the best outcome. Failure is a part of life, but if we fail because of circumstances outside our control, we will have no reason to blame ourselves for negligence in the future.

Part II: The Psychology and Physiology of Happiness 

How does Happiness feel, regardless of the reasons leading to this prolonged mental state of satisfaction? 

To be happy means living in inner peace with mindfulness, meaning, and purpose. It means balancing momentary pleasures and realizing longer-term goals with emotional tranquility and persistent determination. It means acknowledging and controlling positive and negative emotions within. It means recognizing life in its reality of wholeness and not as irregular, fragmented pieces of ups and downs.

These seemingly disjointed events and emotions may be overwhelming when experienced, but lose significance when viewed in the big picture of existence. Once we understand life's totality, our sensitivity to details will decrease, and they will bother us far less or not.

Happiness is a state of mind in which our mood and emotions stay at a "neutral baseline" level for a prolonged time, resulting in a feeling of comfortable, joyful tranquility.

According to studies, we are born with a genetically determined "happiness set point," meaning that we return to our specific baseline after any emotional peak of triumph or a low of despair. This theory explains why the expectation of the long-lasting blissful effect after the "next fabulous life change" is disappointing, and the intense pleasure fades quickly. 

Genes greatly influence the happiness baseline: researchers suggest that fifty percent is attributed to genetics, forty percent depends on personal choices, and only 10 percent is related to life circumstances. 

Some people are born with more optimism than others, making their lives more pleasurable; however, they still need intelligence, wisdom, and good luck in favorable circumstances to live happy lives. 

Others whose baseline of Happiness is more pessimistic might theoretically be more inclined to philosophy and have a greater psychological need to pursue passions. 

The study implies that practicing compassion and engaging in philanthropic activities can reset one's inborn baseline of Happiness, resulting in increased fulfillment due to a higher self-esteem or a deeper sense of purpose. 

Martin Seligman's Positive Psychology

In 1998, psychologist Martin Seligman launched a new field of psychology to improve quality of life by researching Happiness and well-being rather than focusing on mental disease and negativity. Positive psychology practitioners believe that positive and negative aspects of life are equally genuine.

A good life does not mean the absence of suffering but the presence of well-being and purpose. To achieve that, we need to understand better what allows us to flourish.

Seliman's theory of Happiness describes five elements of a good life, known as PERMA model:

1. Positive Emotions (P) are emotions that include peace, gratitude, curiosity, inspiration, Love, pleasure, and hope. 

   
   

2. Engagement (E) is when we engage in a task, concentrating intensely on the present and losing our sense of self and time. 

   
   

3. Positive Relationships (R) are good relationships with others that benefit physical and mental health.

   
   

4. Meaning (M) puts life in the perspective of a reality bigger than us. It may be a religion, a cause, or a feeling of belonging. 

   
   

5. Accomplishment/Achievement (A) means mastering a skill, achieving a goal, or working towards it. 

Psychologists believe the PERMA guidelines can improve long-term well-being when practiced persistently. 

Conclusion: The Endnote on Happiness

Living a happy life is not without difficulties but with positive inner strengths that help us overcome them, find peace, and flourish. It's a life with a purpose greater than ourselves, empowering and making every day worth living.

It's not excitement or ecstasy but a cheerful, laid-back celebration of ourselves as conscious beings in a vast Universe, knowing that our tiny human lives are meaningful because they count and contribute to a better world.