Dennis Prager on the morality of happiness:
For much of my life, I, like most people, regarded the pursuit of happiness as largely a selfish pursuit. One of the great revelations of middle age has been that happiness, far from being only a selfish pursuit, is a moral demand.
When we think of character traits we rightly think of honesty, integrity, moral courage, and acts of altruism. Few people include happiness in any list of character traits or moral achievements.
But happiness is both.
Happiness -- or at least acting happy, or at the very least not inflicting one's unhappiness on others -- is no less important in making the world better than any other human trait.
With some exceptions, happy people make the world better and unhappy people make it worse.
...the pursuit of happiness is noble. It benefits everyone around the individual pursuing it, and it benefits humanity. And that is why happiness is a moral obligation.
Read the whole thing.
Prager's column certainly has the ring of truth to it. While happiness is not the only character trait that is worth pursuing, it is certainly a trait we should pursue. I think Prager hits the nail on the head when he says that happy people make the world better and unhappy people make it worse. Some of the worst pain I've experienced in life has resulted from interaction with people who made no attempt to be happy or protect the happiness of those around them. Some of the greatest joys I've experienced have been sharing experiences with people who are truly happy or who were at least intentionally trying to make me happy.
I have yet to read Prager's book, Happiness Is A Serious Problem, but it looks like a good read. I've been eyeing it for some time now.
Some of My Previous Posts on Happiness:
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