(July 30, 2016 at 12:46 am)Maelstrom Wrote: It was something I learned in sociology class.  I cannot remember the specifics, but certain needs to be met for an individual to be truly happy.  Financially secure, loving family/friends.  It makes sense from a sociological viewpoint.

No, it doesn't, because assessing an individual's mental state is psychology, not sociology.

(July 30, 2016 at 12:58 am)Faith No More Wrote: No, it doesn't, because assessing an individual's mental state is psychology, not sociology.

https://www.le.ac.uk/sociology/db158/SCo...201pt5.pdf

https://personal.eur.nl/veenhoven/Pub200...c-full.pdf

(July 30, 2016 at 12:58 am)ignoramus Wrote: Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are our unalienable rights.

But what if my happiness only comes from the removal of someone's liberty and life? (You know, the 4 people in my basement with gaffa tape around their mouth).
Surely my right is just as important as theirs?  lol!

That depends, do you like your pets more than they would like their freedom and pursuit of happiness?

(July 30, 2016 at 12:30 am)Excited Penguin Wrote:

(July 30, 2016 at 12:29 am)Alasdair Ham Wrote: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness


Have you never experienced joy or contentment?

I don't agree with that definition. I'm not a happyist ok, I am an ahappyist.

In another thread, you were complaining about how when people use their own definitions they shut down conversation. And here you are ... using your own definition.

(July 30, 2016 at 1:01 am)Maelstrom Wrote: https://www.le.ac.uk/sociology/db158/SCo...201pt5.pdf

https://personal.eur.nl/veenhoven/Pub200...c-full.pdf

Dammit, I'm trying to copy a section from that second link, but my iPad won't let me. If you go to page 11 on that second pdf, they ask the question "Is subjective well-being a subject for sociology?" The author answers "yes," but the reasons he/she gives is that it gives clues about the social system an individual lives in and determines social behavior. So, essentially they're saying that you can learn important sociological information from assessing an individual's happiness, not that assessing an individual's happiness is actually in the realm of sociology. In fact, the author even states earlier on that many sociologists don't even think it's a valuable enough subject to study.

So, it's like I said. When you're referring to an individual's happiness and what affects it, you are talking psychology.

(July 30, 2016 at 1:32 am)Thumpalumpacus Wrote:

(July 30, 2016 at 12:30 am)Excited Penguin Wrote: I don't agree with that definition. I'm not a happyist ok, I am an ahappyist.

In another thread, you were complaining about how when people use their own definitions they shut down conversation. And here you are ... using your own definition.

Yes, didn't that strike you as odd?

(July 30, 2016 at 1:37 am)Faith No More Wrote:

(July 30, 2016 at 1:01 am)Maelstrom Wrote: https://www.le.ac.uk/sociology/db158/SCo...201pt5.pdf

https://personal.eur.nl/veenhoven/Pub200...c-full.pdf

Dammit, I'm trying to copy a section from that second link, but my iPad won't let me.  If you go to page 11 on that second pdf, they ask the question "Is subjective well-being a subject for sociology?"  The author answers "yes," but the reasons he/she gives is that it gives clues about the social system an individual lives in and determines social behavior.  So, essentially they're saying that you can learn important sociological information from assessing an individual's happiness, not that assessing an individual's happiness is actually in the realm of sociology.  In fact, the author even states earlier on that many sociologists don't even think it's a valuable enough subject to study.

So, it's like I said.  When you're referring to an individual's happiness and what affects it, you are talking psychology.

Or, perhaps, my sociology teacher believed that there was something of value in what he was imparting.

It's all relative. Now I'm so used to feeling depressed, not feeling sad feels good. Being able to cope feels like happiness.

Basically, if I can lessen the stranglehold of my depression, I'm satisfied.

And after having intense manic episodes I'd feel very empty.

(July 30, 2016 at 3:41 am)robvalue Wrote: It's all relative. Now I'm so used to feeling depressed, not feeling sad feels good. Being able to cope feels like happiness.

Basically, if I can lessen the stranglehold of my depression, I'm satisfied.

This is sort of what I spoke about in the last thread I made.

I think happiness is generated by peaks and troughs and to an extent how aware you are of those peaks and troughs.