What
is the correlation between ethically doing the right thing and genuine happiness? The top
10 happiest countries according to U.N. World Happiness Report, (USA 17), with
the exception of one or two, are also the top 10 most responsible countries
according the Environmental Performance Index (USA 49). Does individual and social responsibility lead
to happiness? The World Happiness Report outlines many
ethical factors that impact happiness. This
is intriguing as most persons in U.S. have a tendency to value material wealth
over spiritual wealth or over all well-being.
Has anyone in the class traveled to Europe or any of the Scandinavian
countries; if so what is it about the overall culture that struck you as very
different from American "culture"?
I completely believe that individual and social responsibility to the environment leads to happiness. I know that from personal experience I am happiest when I am at peace with nature, so can you only imagine a whole nation doing this? Respecting their surroundings and environment to create a complete sense of happiness. I especially admire Scandinavia and most of Europe for their approaches to the environment and think that the United States needs to follow in their footsteps.
ReplyDeleteI think that in an environment where so much wrongdoing is occuring, one will inevitably develop a feeling of helplessness. To cope with this sensation, a detachment from reality is often present, overindulgence in the material world is one example. This distance from the issue makes the problem worse, but also forces one to dissociate from many of the elements that make for a holistic state of happiness.
ReplyDeleteI think that in an environment where so much wrongdoing is occuring, one will inevitably develop a feeling of helplessness. To cope with this sensation, a detachment from reality is often present, overindulgence in the material world is one example. This distance from the issue makes the problem worse, but also forces one to dissociate from many of the elements that make for a holistic state of happiness.
ReplyDeleteGenerally happiness seems to be influenced by karma. What goes around comes around, so those who makes others happy tend to be be happy themselves as well. They see the good they have done in a community and can't help but be happy themselves. Obviously happiness isn't a very easy thing to measure as it can be very subjective, but the movie 'Happy' is a good place to start. If individuals consider the environment as part of their community it is easy to see how helping it can increase their happiness.
ReplyDelete