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Posts Tagged ‘happiness’

Socrates balance of happiness + true humility

September 3, 2008 1 comment

FUNDAMENTAL ETHICS – (Fr Vallee) — Ethics of Plato vs Aristotle. Plato’s Philebus & The Republic.

 Ethics for Plato is (1) eudaemonological (“Happiness for each and every creature consists of possession of the hightest good to which his or her nature has access.” ), (2) intellectual (virtue = knowledge, sin = ignorance), and (3) formalism, absolutist (circumstances don’t matter, we must contemplate the forms, anamnesis).

Ethics for Aristotle is (1) eudaemonological, (2) practical (habit), and (3) consequentialist (virtue-based).

Pleasure is a result of good, not good a result of pleasure.  To Socrates, happiness is a balance of many needs and desires, with a perfect balance of the soul among beauty, proportion and truth.

A great quote from Frances de Sales … “true humility is to see yourself as you are seen in the eyes of God, not more than you are and not less than you are.”

Categories: Fundamental Ethics Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Happy is God’s Will?

July 5, 2007 Leave a comment

Continuing the discussion on “following God & seeking His Will” from last Sunday’s readings, I recall an experience. — Last year I was at a men’s study group where everyone was asked “How do you know you are following God’s will in your life?”  After we spend some time getting everyone’s opinion (I forgot what I said), the facilitator (a priest) answered simply “When you’re happy.”

happy faceWHAT?!?!  I hate that answer!  (In his defense, we were running out of time and I think he was moving the meeting along)  Happiness is relative and can be found in anything.  Even doing something bad or sinful can have temporary (or fake longterm) happiness … that’s WHY we do bad things … it fills the “God-size” void we have.

Happiness is a feeling we get … and you can’t always trust feelings.  “Joy,” on the other hand, is different.  We get “joy” by knowing we have salvation through an active relationship with God.  You can always be joyful even though circumstances may make us miserable and very UNhappy.

If a believer is being persecuted for their faith, are they following God’s will?  Even though they’re not “happy” at the moment?  Do we fast to be “happy”?  I hope I misunderstood the answer, because I need some clarification.  — Anyone else?  Kermit?

Categories: 04 VOCATIONS, prayer Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,