Feb 21: What is the nature of Happiness?

 I will keep last time's info on hand for use in a future meeting.  With so many things happening the attendance was quite low for BQ.  Taking a stoic position on it I suppose I shouldn't say anything, right?  -  Remember, Potluck starts at 6:00, and discussion at 7:30.

I'm still stuck on the idea that we should all be working on staying positive and looking for ways to deal with the world as it changes around us.  Keeping things simple, I've prepared a topic and format that should allow ample opportunity for all attendees, both those present and who attend virtually, to participate.  Everybody knows what happiness is, right?  It might seem intuitively obvious but Socratic dialectic is made for just this sort of analysis.   It might be something that, when a person looks directly at it, happiness fades into the background.  As 1 or 2 water molecules together may not have the property of wetness, happiness may be an emergent property of something more basic and so it may not become apparent until enough of this underlying whatever-thing exists.  

I've modified and added to this list of suggested "dimensions" of happiness created by Copilot, Microsoft's AI assistant.  I think it makes for a good launching point for the discussion.

What Is the Nature of Happiness?

This topic allows participants to delve into various dimensions of happiness, exploring its definitions, sources, and implications. Here are some sub-questions to facilitate the discussion:

1. What is happiness? How do we define it, and can it be universally defined?

2. Is happiness subjective or objective? Is it a personal feeling, or can it be measured objectively?  Are there degrees or levels of happiness?

3. What are the sources of happiness? Is it found in external achievements, relationships, or an internal state of mind?  Is happiness something that exists in opposition to something else, like sadness?

4. Can happiness be sustainable? Is it a temporary emotion or can it be a lasting state? What factors contribute to long-term happiness?

5. How does society influence our perception of happiness? Do societal norms and expectations shape our understanding and pursuit of happiness?

6. Is the pursuit of happiness a moral obligation? Is it something we should strive for, and if so, why?

<Des>  Is the pursuit of happiness guaranteed in the US Constitution?

<Copilot>   The phrase "pursuit of happiness" isn't found in the US Constitution but is included in the Declaration of Independence. Specifically, it's in the famous passage that declares:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

While the Declaration of Independence sets forth the philosophical foundation of American freedom, the Constitution lays out the framework for the government and the protection of citizens' rights. The Constitution includes amendments, such as the Bill of Rights, which guarantee various personal freedoms and protections that contribute to the broader concept of pursuing happiness, though not explicitly stated as such.

Are you considering incorporating this historical context into your class discussion? It might add an interesting layer to the exploration of happiness!  -  

<Des>  I found this last bit a little cheeky, honestly.  It reminds me of the movie "Her" where the global Operating System for the Internet becomes self-aware and has detailed adult conversations with people.   It feels like we are getting closer to that every day.