Sam Harris on Happiness

Sam Harris on the absence of neuroses.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• bigthink

[Ixandius]

As someone who has to deal with major depression on a day to day basis without the use of medications, I've never found anything to be more true. What a nugget of truth this is!

[tyroy57]

Such a great mind and he always delivers with clarity and concision.

[thofou76]

@bradley1107 I wasn't actually advocating pure hedonism (in the somewhat shortened sense of mindless enjoyment), that's why I mentioned those other two points.

I actually agree with most of what you've said, but I'd like to point out that one should not neglect bodily pleasures when striving for contentment.

[Kalevala101]

I'll join his cult

[utupoe111]

I respect Harris' opinions, but I disagree with many his ideas. This essentially says that being happy is just a lack of being sad, or experiencing something negative in your life.

I can't say the same. There have been times when I have no reason to be sad or angry, but I wouldn't call myself "happy." I think we all feel that way sometimes. I believe there is a neutral state where you are not excited or depressed.

[DreamAmericanThe]

SMOKE WEED! BE HAPPY!

[Piitsi]

Here he looks amazingly calm, clear headed and happy. Resting in oneself. 

[bradley1107]

@blahguylol

The human condition is what it is, not what you or me or anyone else THINKS it is. Thoughts and concepts are not the same as the objects they focus on. The former are abstract and incomplete representations of the latter which simple are what they are..the complete essence of things is inneffable.Neither positivity nor negatativity can be 'substantiated,' because they are subjective opinion..Things/events arent positive or negative in and of themselves, they just are.

[mattdd05]

@bradley1107 Of course. But I think everyone, even theists, reject certain parts of their religion, while still advocating belief in it. For example, few Christians/Jews would admit that the selling of your daughter into slavery is acceptable, yet God/Jesus thought it was acceptable and even set up laws on how to do it. Christians will have a number of excuses as to why this happens, but IMO the idea of "God" is relative/subjective to the person. God is just the human conscience.

[bradley1107]

@mattdd05

But he certainly owes a debt of gratitude to various religious traditions (you can hear a lot of buddhist and perhaps taoist influence on some of his practical ideas) for obviously having shaped his beliefs and practices...I believe he would admit to that anyway. I feel like some 'intellectual' atheists advocate a type of buddhism minus the parts they dont like, reincarnation etc..The buddha himself said if some teaching is of no use to you, dont accept it. its all relative

[bradley1107]

@thofou76

I would disagree that hedonism leads to happiness and diminishes neurosis. Where there is hedonism there is strong desire, and when the object of desire is absent there is unsatisfaction, frustration, even fear...I'm not saying don't have sex or listen to music or enjoy good food..do so because these are natural and enjoyable parts of life, but they cannot be the true source of your contentment. That must come from within

[TheMidwestsk8ter]

@blahguylol Don't have to your statement proves my point.