The Philosophy and Psychology of
Happiness Reflection Assignment
Please answer the
following question in complete sentences and post it to the blog before the end
of the day. Make sure to consider all of
the philosophers we have discussed in the past week or so when crafting your
answer.
1. Nietzsche,
despite his clear hatred of anti-Semites, was often quoted by Nazi leaders as
an inspiration for the atrocities that they committed. Frankl suffered at the hands of the Nazi’s
and survived. Nietzsche identified the
meaningless nature of our current existence while Frankl pushes us to find
meaning in this life. Here we are more
than 120 years after Nietzsche’s masterworks and 70 years since WWII. Where do we stand today? Is our society still knee-deep in the
beginnings of an existential crisis as our own selfish wants and urges take
precedence over all things (Nietzsche)?
Conversely, are we a society moving toward a greater sense of compassion
and a willingness to find responsibility in our fellow human and meaning in
serving others (Frankl)? Is it possible
that we have developed a completely different view on humanity and
happiness? What do you think? Are we
leaning toward Nietzsche, Frankl or something different (Hegel?)? What does your experience say about this? **feel
free to use the resources in the sky drive and your notes.
In my opinion, I believe modern society IS still knee-deep in the beginnings of an existential crisis as our own wants and urges take precedence over all things. Our economic system in and of itself promotes the individual more than the society. Capitalism operates on each person being able to make his own path and riches. Although American Capitalism has some Socialist aspects to it, like healthcare, but the majority of American Capitalism, like I said, tends to be more rooted in individual achievement. In addition, America was founded on the idea of one being able to reinvent themselves and make their lives whatever they wanted. Again, this promotes the good of the individual, not society. So yes, I do tend to agree more with Nietzsche's view than any other, however cynical it may sound.
ReplyDeleteHaving said this, I do believe society is attempting to change in America. With community service projects and outreach programs growing, the attempt and societal bettering (bettering?) is becoming more and more prevalent. Serving others is definitely a growing attitude. Of course, there are the institutions that have always promoted this type of behavior, like Marist for example. But even at places like Marist, I believe the response towards the needy is growing and people are becoming more aware in general. So in a way, Frankl's ideologies are being put into practice to some extent, but not overwhelmingly so. For some, community service is STILL rooted in making themselves look better, looking like the "good guy", rather than truly wishing to help others. It's all subjective based on the person.
So concerning the topic of happiness, I think the vast majority identify with Nietzsche and his ideas. Happiness for many is money, wealth, possessions, not serving others, and society is not helping discontinue this idea. With heavy-handed Capitalism leading the way, there isn't much room for anything BUT individual achievement if one wants to survive in modern American society. In essence, to most, wealth is happiness. Nietzsche would either be proud or horrified that he was actually right.
Honest and open...thanks for sharing!
DeleteIn a universal aspect, we are very much leaning towards Nietzsche. Nietzsche was very anti God. He thought that we created God in our image not vice versa. we need to take control and decide things our-self not relying on some deity that does not exist. a society in which we control our actions and act morally right,not based on what a god has told us. i feel that our society is indeed moving in this direction. we are not going to church as much, yet are trying to become more moral and righteous. we are proud to be different to have "found ourselves". individualism and anti conformism are ideas that a rather new, yet the world has come to accept and want them. less and less are we choosing our path based on what a king or holy book has told us to but on what we morally know and feel is right. an example is birth control. while it against "gods doctrine", it is in wide use today. in the early 50s and 60s it was not uncommon for women to feel shame or receive hat when seen buying it. the morality is that you shouldn't have a child if you are not ready emotionally or financially. it is creating a better life for everyone who interacts with the user. Whether or not this is good, our society is starting to become based on our morals not on old rules and stigmas. Happiness a bi product of this, individualism. we are who we are and we need to find ourselves. an example is Chris Mcandles. He was made famous for going against the norm and then trying to find himself. he is admired by many for not caring what others think and living on his own set of moral codes. This is the ME generation. Happiness is from understanding and knowing ones self completely. This new age was ushered in by Nietzsche.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I believe we are moving towards a society based on the ideas of Frankl, but we are still lacking in some aspects of his ideas. Many people in this world follow his philosophy when they "live as [they] were living a second time, and as though [they] had acted wrongly the first time" as Frankl said. Although some take this YOLO principle to mean the wrong thing, most see that they must live with compassion in this life since it is they're only opportunity to serve others. However, Frankl also said that in his time people had "the means to live, but nothing to live for." In our society, this problem does occur with 14.8 million people over the age of 18 who have depression in the U.S. Most of these people are very well off and have no pittance of monetary and material possessions, but they are still labeled as unhappy. They have the means, but they still feel that they have no purpose in life. In our youth though, many feel as they have a very important purpose in life even though these aspirations fade over time.Ultimately, Frankl would criticize us for trying to understand our life's meaning and not answering the demands life gives us. We need to understand our purpose through answering life's call instead of imitating those who have come before us to the point that we create a whole generation of Justin Bieber wanna-be's. In our desire to help others however, we are getting closer to accepting his philosophy.
ReplyDeleteSociety as a whole is moving towards the idea Frankl set forth, as people coming together for the betterment of their fellow man. However, there will always be individuals who fall in line with Nietzsche’s philosophy that people will put themselves before anyone else. On the surface, many people give the appearance that they care about others and aren’t selfish because that is what society expects of us. Despite this veneer of selflessness, many people are driven by their selfish desires, but have to keep it under wraps so as not to be shamed for their actions. Basically, societal pressures keep the overly-selfish people from revealing what they are truly driven by but does not deter them from making the choices they do.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned shame. Have we returned to the Homeric era where we don't care what we do as long as we don't get caught (and subsequently shamed)?
DeleteWhy do you have to be so selfish? Jeez, why can't you share with ME. Why won't you let the other people have some? Are you better than ME and the other people. GIVE ME SOME OF YOUR STUFF! We are, by no stretch of the mind a selfless world. We are oriented to gain more stuff, more sustenance. Even when we ask others to share their wealth and to not be so selfish, aren't we ourselves being selfish? Aren't our demands for the betterment of either our feeling of the condition of the world or ourselves. The only people who truly do become selfless (and this is rare) are those who quietly donate to the earth and don't seek any acknowledgement. Even then, those people are probably trying to improve their opinion of themselves. This world is NEETCHY. I don't know how to spell his name, but his is right. We are selfish.
ReplyDeleteBut if we all follow Nietzsche there will be a whole lot of winners and losers in this life. Ultimately the NEETCHY argued that something good would come from this self knowledge and indulgence -- the ubermensch. Any signs of him?
DeleteAlthough I consider our society to be compassionate and willing to serve others in some cases, I think that our society is generally pretty selfish. It is possible that I feel this way because of the way I grew up. I don’t consider myself to be spoiled but there aren’t many things that I want and don’t have. There is such a large gap between the upper and lower class in our society, and that is another reason why I think that our society is largely motivated by selfish desires. I think that people today falsely believe that by fulfilling their own desires, they will find the meaning of life. That being said, I think our society is kind of based on Frankl’s view on happiness. Everyone wants their life to have a meaning, but today it is hard to find the meaning of life without trying to fulfill one’s own desires.
ReplyDeleteDoes Frankl think we should be looking to fulfill our own desires?
DeleteToday, Nietzsche’s philosophy is not the main concept that people follow today. At least through my perspective and through what I’ve heard in my life, people talk about finding meaning and a purpose in their lives. In the past, like when my mother was growing up, her mother (my grandmother) would always tell her that it does not matter how much she enjoys working a certain job, but that she needed to find a job that will make a lot of money. My grandmother stressed the importance of being able to support a family on her own and to do that at all costs, whether my mom likes the job or not. In today’s society, people’s viewpoints have changed. People now stress the importance of finding a job and pursuing a career that they will enjoy and have a passion for regardless of how much money they might make. I would argue that today people are most definitely trying to find meaning in their lives like Frankl discussed. Our perspectives have changed from my mother and grandmother’s generations, shifting to a more accepting and encouraging environment. People are driven to find a passion for what they like and are interested in.
ReplyDeleteFrom personal experience, I have been talking to my mom about different career options. She told me to find a job I will wake up in the morning excited to go to rather than make a lot of money than being completely bored or unsatisfied with my life. To me, this way of thinking parallels with Frankl’s view on happiness. By pursuing what jobs or subjects that interest me and are calling me to them, I am responding to what life is asking of me. By ignoring this call to pursue a certain area and to seek money instead, I am completely ignoring and disregarding what life is asking of me, or as Frankl would say, I have failed to find the meaning in my life.
Our generation is one that longs meaning in everything. At least once a week in my classes, somebody in my class will raise their hand and ask, “Why is this necessary to learn” or “how will this help me in the real world.” My classmates want to find meaning in almost everything they do. Time is of the essence, especially here at Marist, so most will not do anything that is not worth their time or that won’t benefit them in some way. By doing what makes you happy, you are serving others, so this view is not entirely selfish. For example, if my job is to sell cars to you, I will try to sell as many cars as I can in order to make the maximum amount of money. This is a very selfish motive, but by selling a lot of cars, I am providing my customers business and transportation, which they will then benefit from. Through my selfish motives, I end up helping you and my other customers. If providing others is my calling in life and I get pleasure out of this, then I am responding to what life is asking of me and I am doing what I am meant to do, which is ultimately fulfilling my purpose in life.
I agree that you need to find your purpose (Aristotle called is telos), but to justify selling a lot of cars to "help others" is a bit of a stretch isn't it? Does Frankl care if you make lots of money, help others, or find a meaningful occupation? Can it be just one? What do you think?
DeleteIt's difficult to say what our society's idea of happiness is today. Optimistically I would like to say that we are not leaning too far towards Nietzsche's philosophy of meaninglessness. There are definitely people today who do think that life is meaningless, and there are probably some that have even discovered the meaning of their lives, but I would say most are probably searching for the meaning in their life and desiring meaning, as Frankl suggested, rather than completely rejecting it as Nietzsche did. This being said, we're not really too far on Frankl's side either in terms of compassion and service to others. We all have people that we care about and people are compassionate, but there's not this overwhelming sense of compassion for strangers or people taking responsibility for things that do not obviously pertain to them, and I don't think people are really trying too hard to get there. In terms of Hegel's philosophy, there are some parts that pertain very well to our society such as his advocacy for freedom and his idea that everyone has a concept of happiness inside of themselves, but his idea of collective happiness does not pertain so well to how people feel today. All this being said, none of these philosophies apply extremely well to us today because they are all extremes or absolutes, and our society seems to be a bit more moderate.
ReplyDeleteDo you really think we are all moderate? Could it be that we are just a big jumble of absolutes? I think of Congress...
DeleteSociety's perception is generally a nearly impossible thing to define in any sense; however, we seem to be moving towards a more conscientious level as a whole. That is not to say that we are without meaninglessness--many do find happiness in the "things" of life, a mindset especially prevalent with the onset age of technology. With that technology, though, comes increased communication and awareness. As a society, we are more aware of history than ever before with the help of the world wide web and increased progress in education, and we are holding one another accountable for mistakes both on small and larger scales. Though there are always outliers, I believe the general whole of society is leaning towards a Frankl view of happiness. Many look to find "their calling" in the workplace or "what they're meant to do" in looking for a major in college. Maybe it's a bit optimistic to assert a blanket statement for a universal truth in tendencies towards happiness worldwide, but I do think the natural inclination in this day and age is to create an amalgamation of sorts of Nietzsche, Frankl, and Hegel with an emphasis on finding meaning (Frankl) while acknowledging the occasional hollowness one may feel (Nietzsche). This acknowledgement can bring happiness in that recognizing what is and is not attainable can evoke a peace of mind. We embrace Hegel's view by becoming more of a community than ever before by "overcoming individual alienation" which goes back to the increase in use and production of technology and the internet (McMahon 370). Overall, though, society as a whole is too flux to stick a label on in any aspect, especially psychologically.
ReplyDeleteWhile it's easy to see how ideas similar to Nietzsche's have become more influential in our society, I personally don't think we're completely lost to selfishness. Yes, our generation is individualized and self-centered, and yes, there's a growing number of people who have denied general (especially Christian) ideas of morality and its strict regulations. However, there is also a growing awareness that people have started to consider in terms of their action. It's not awareness based so much on Christian principles and "how to get to heaven" but instead there's growing education on basic human rights and human decency. Maybe Frankl is partially correct in saying that we find meaning in serving others- lots of people help others to add a sense of meaning and importance to their lives. But although we're not completely giving, we're also not completely self-absorbed. Through the advances that we've gained in this contemporary age (ie. the internet), we are constantly connected to not just the great parts of this world, but the bad parts as well. Awareness and education have increased, and our compassion for those who are hurting or suffering has increased in turn. Although we spend so much time on ourselves, on personal, self-centered devices and the like, we're oftentimes increasing our worldview. So perhaps it's a combination of two philosophies- we are selfish and put ourselves first, but our awareness has increased and our compassion follows behind. Perhaps our intentions aren't the best- we can certainly be pressured into giving or helping thanks to the internet and constant interconnectivity, but nonetheless, we are helping.
ReplyDeleteI look around and I see people shopping and buying things unneeded, with the simple excuse that "it was on sale." I see people firing employees to make themselves more of a profit, without any thought of what they might be putting the fired ex-employee through. I see corporations out-sourcing manufacturing, again to make a profit, because it's cheaper than hiring thousands of unemployed, fellow Americans. And people still blame the president for high unemployment rates. This huge profit made fuels the consumerism, materialism, and allows people to pay for their mansions and properties that are so huge, they'll only have enough time in their +-80 years to put half of it to good use. While I would like to think that our society is moving toward a greater sense of compassion and a willingness to find responsibility in our fellow human and meaning in serving others, I need to face the truth. Our society is still knee-deep in the beginnings of an existential crisis as our own selfish wants and urges take precedence over all things. Almost everybody wants to have a larger material existence. Almost everybody wants silly pieces of paper to expand their material existence. But take away those silly pieces of paper, take away the ability to consume, like the Jews had done to themselves in the Holocaust, What do you have left? We have compassion and willingness to find responsibility in our fellow humans and meaning in serving others. Now, I’m not saying that we should start another holocaust, but I am saying that to become a more virtuous society, to find the true meaning in our lives, we should ease of the throttle when it comes to consuming.
ReplyDeleteThat was a bit of a bummer, man.
DeleteNot the Holocaust (which was a tragedy of inestimable size), but your assessment of America. I don't necessarily disagree though.
Our society today is not either all selfish, or all selfless. Instead it is split. There are people who live in both of these ways. Our society plays up and almost supports the selfish side of living. You do not hear celebrities bragging about how they wanted something then decided it was not what life wanted from them/for them. You hear people reporting on the wealth and materials that people have accumulated. It seems like today people are becoming more and more absorbed in their lives and what they want to do, and less about what they should do to be right by other people to. I would not say that our society is headed towards a complete breakdown of morals and ideal to the point at which people only care about themselves. I am simply saying that this is what society seems to endorse. I believe that society will progress in two different directions. Some people will continue to chase after what they desire from life. These people will never be satisfied but will always think there is something else they can do to become happier. The other part of society will realize that this pursuit of personal desires in endless and they will begin to think like Frankl did. They will realize that they cannot find meaning in what they do until they start to base their decisions and actions off of what life expects out of them. This divergence of societal values will not happen within our life times. It will be a slow evolution that will take many years to complete but there will be a distinction between the two types of people and their two distinctive values.
ReplyDeleteAnd it can all start with you!
DeleteI think that today's society has moved towards Frankl's views as opposed to Nietzsche. I don't know that we could necessarily put a standard definition on happiness today. I think that today happiness is so subjective that we can't put a label on it, it depends on the person. Which is why I think that Frankl's views relate most. Each of us individually have to find our own meaning in everything that we do, whether it is something positive or negative. No philosophy on happiness is going to be a perfect fit for every one of us, but I think that Frankl allows the room for us to find and create our own greater meaning, and in fulfilling this, we may achieve happiness. I think everyone loves the idea of their life having this whole greater meaning and that everything they do, every word that they say, can have such a great affect that it might be part of a greater meaning. So in a way I think this can lead to a selfish view where we think that everything we do has meaning, and I agree with Nietzsche's view in that respect.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people today take from both Nietzsche as well as Frankl. While people mainly focus on personal or selfish desires, most also try to help others. When indulging in personal desires is not enough, some people turn to helping others as an outlet for happiness. If the people helping others do not do it for the purpose of happiness, they do it because they know it is the right thing to do. I do not think that people will ever stop looking towards personal desires for happiness, but society has improved in the fact that people realize that helping others is important.
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ReplyDeleteI'd like to think that the world is headed more towards the ideas of Frankl. And in some ways we are, but at the same time, we aren't. People still put their own needs before others. We probably aren't going to completely ignore our own needs to accommodate the needs of others. I do, however, think people have become more accepting and kind overall in the more recent years. We are moving in the right direction. People are probably always going to look out for themselves first - that's just a trait of survival - but more people are finding meaning in serving others. Most people today would equate helping or serving others with being happy because people get the satisfaction of making someone else's life a bit easier. So yes, we are still selfish. But our selfishness is getting smaller and we are starting to realize that there is an obligation to help others in our society. Instead of being completely selfish (like in the example of WW2), we have minimized our selfishness and are heading towards a more Frankl-like society.
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ReplyDeleteFrankl's ideals on us being happy opens up a way of thinking that allows us to work as a whole rather than just focusing on our own ideals of happiness. He states that "If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering." We as humans continue to suffer everyday, whether it is little things like not having something go your way at school or maybe a relative died or something. These experiences give our "suffering" meaning. Some of our continual suffering though continues to be selfish, such as us thinking that we "suffer" because we did not get an A on a test or that we could not get into that AP class that we really wanted to take. We will continue to be selfish and think of others before we think about ourselves, but humanity is also starting to evolve or make accommodations to think of humanity as a whole and not just yourself. Marist is a great example, as we do not do community service because we have to, but because we care about helping out others. We are certainly no where near to having a Frankl state of mind and letting things just happen and accept them, but we are certainly advancing and starting to make the movement towards having a more Frankl like society
ReplyDeleteWhere are you? Are you in the Frankl state of mind yet?
DeleteMany Times in philosophy, or at least that we've covered, everything seems black and white. There is no true happiness, man is evil, man is a blank slate. etc. This isn't the case with the world a lot of it is gray. Life is meaningless other than the meaning we give to it, so without the meaning we think life is asking (frankl) we'll become selfish and self indulgent human beings (neitzche) because that is our nature. I think that these philosophies are both needed in order to explain modern times because they've both contributed to modern ideas.
ReplyDeleteKeep going! Tell us more...
DeleteLike Nietzsche, I think our world is very much caught up in trying to obtain everything, and even everyone. Without the hunger for something more, there would never be any motivation to better ourselves, and I think it's a necessity to have desire. However, how much desire is strictly necessary is still undefined. The reason I say there's a desire to obtain other people is because I think humans naturally have an instinct to be in control. In World Lit., we are studying the relationship between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The DR largely discriminates against those of Haitian descent, and there aren't many people fighting against it. And while this desire to control others might be a learned behavior, so is the adjustment to freedom. I think there are a few Frankls in society who put the pressure on the rest of the Neitzche-leaning society to "be the better person" and use one's own self improvement for the good of others. Naturally, people are against change, but ultimately shift to the opposing side because they believe there will be some reward for the end. I think many of the people who turned against the Nazis did so because it seemed apparent the Nazis were going to lose, and they wanted to be part of the winning side. So, once again, there is Neitzche's theory that we have constant cravings. Humanity is still self absorbed, and I don't think that will ever change. Most of the times someone acts like Frankl is when society deems it "cool" to turn the tables and help others. In other words, the practice of Frankl philosophy seems to be a trend that comes and goes.
ReplyDeleteIn the US, is it "come" or "goes" right now?
DeleteNot many people follow Nietzsche’s philosophy today. More people focus on searching for the meaning and the purpose in their lives. In the past people more so focused on how big a pay check was, rather than if the job one was doing actually made them happy; since providing for your family is more important. However, today people more so stress the importance of finding the job pursuing or career that one has a passion for. The ideas that Frankl had in regard to finding an individual’s purpose in life are more common today. We think differently than people did in the past, since people are now driven to find a passion larger than a paycheck.
ReplyDeleteI think for my generation, everyone longs for a passion, because it provides a feeling of acceptance. When you’re good at something and enjoy it, you’re more likely to become happy. Every single person has an individual talent. I think the media has taught kids that being an outcast is equivalent to a sin. For that reason everyone longs to be good at something so they can be accepted, whether it be a sport or club. I think everyone longs for a passion, but more so to be accepted, not so much to be truly happy on the inside.
I think that most people tend to follow both Frankl's view and Nietzsche's view today.
ReplyDeleteWhen Mr. Murphy spoke to his, I remember clearly one thing that he said: "The meaning of life is to give life a meaning". I think that everyone is trying to find the meaning of their life and examining their purpose on earth. Everyone wants to find something to be passionate about. Everyone wants to know that they exist for a certain purpose--that they're not just a waste of space. So that's how I think people follow Frankl's view of achieving happiness by finding a meaning in life.
On the other hand, many people also follow Nietzsche's view. (Not the part about a meaningless existence, but the part about focusing on our own selfish wants and desires.) Humans are naturally wired to fight for their own survival. In modern times, humans have evolved to wanting more than just the necessities for survival. We want the most we can possibly get, and we work really hard to be able to afford the most luxurious things in life. Our desires sometimes even control our decisions in our lives.
One extremely important decision that all of us are currently experiencing (or will experience in within the next few years) connects both the views of Frankl and Nietzsche. We'll all be going to college soon, and we have to decide what to focus on for our studies. We'll be forced to decide our career path while we're still only teenagers! We have to take into account both Frankl's and Nietzsche views.
We want to find a career that we are passionate and excited about, something that we will enjoy, something that we feel will give us a purpose, something that we will make a difference in doing. We don't want to end up at a job that we hate. We don't want to wake up every morning and go to a job that we're tired and bored of. We want to do something meaningful with our lives so we can enjoy it more.
But we also have to consider the Nietzsche's view as well. We want certain things out of life. We want to be able to live comfortably, maybe with a big house or a fancy car. In order to have those things, we will need to choose a career that will support the lifestyle that we want. We have to choose a career that will pay well enough so we can buy all the things we want. Our desires definitely factor into this decision that changes our whole life.
Overall, most people incorporate both of these views into their lives everyday. We are driven both by trying to find the meaning of our lives and by our selfish needs and wants. We believe that both of these two combined will bring happiness into our lives. We want a purpose in our lives, but we also want to fulfill all of our needs, wants, and desires, and we think that the two of these things intertwined will bring about the most happiness for us.