Comments on: The Philosophy of Rational Happiness http://www.shaunconnell.com/the-philosophy-of-rational-happiness/ The personal website of Shaun Connell. Sat, 09 Jul 2011 18:44:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Shaun Connell http://www.shaunconnell.com/the-philosophy-of-rational-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-438 Shaun Connell Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:35:30 +0000 http://www.shaunconnell.com/?p=120#comment-438 Well, it's impossible to be happy in hell, so I agree that rationally one should follow Christ. This is why God appeals to our fear of hell -- not much profit in hell. ;-) As to happiness being a side benefit, I think there's simply a misunderstanding by what I mean by happiness. Philosophy is a messy discussion, and often uses words in a different manner than typically meant. In this context, happiness means the achievement of what one wants. So we pursue God because we /want/ to, meaning God is part of our code. Well, it’s impossible to be happy in hell, so I agree that rationally one should follow Christ. This is why God appeals to our fear of hell — not much profit in hell. ;-)

As to happiness being a side benefit, I think there’s simply a misunderstanding by what I mean by happiness. Philosophy is a messy discussion, and often uses words in a different manner than typically meant. In this context, happiness means the achievement of what one wants. So we pursue God because we /want/ to, meaning God is part of our code.

]]> By: Lydia http://www.shaunconnell.com/the-philosophy-of-rational-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-437 Lydia Mon, 25 Feb 2008 01:03:59 +0000 http://www.shaunconnell.com/?p=120#comment-437 "Man should find his purpose in life, and act accordingly. How to determine one “Man should find his purpose in life, and act accordingly. How to determine one

]]> By: Shaun Connell http://www.shaunconnell.com/the-philosophy-of-rational-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-423 Shaun Connell Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:08:07 +0000 http://www.shaunconnell.com/?p=120#comment-423 David, Exactly. As I read the Atlas Shrugged, I was a bit confused as to how it was contrary, at least ideologically, to scriptural principles. I was told that it was -- but an objective look at what is really taught in scriptures shows that there isn't a contradiction. Self-love is a prerequisite to the love of others. David, Some values are objective and some are subjective. The foundational value is, of course, the maximization of one's potential. The only way for this to be an absolute value is if there is an absolute standard for potential. This standard is, of course, existential -- meaning that men technically "choose"* the values. If there is a value (and consequently a morality) that is not relative to whim, it must obviously be because man has an inherent standard built into his mind. That said, to make sure there is no confusion, I believe that man is inherently prone to /not/ enjoy Hell. So threat of Hellfire is a great starting point to the formulation of values. ;-) David,
Exactly. As I read the Atlas Shrugged, I was a bit confused as to how it was contrary, at least ideologically, to scriptural principles. I was told that it was — but an objective look at what is really taught in scriptures shows that there isn’t a contradiction. Self-love is a prerequisite to the love of others.

David,
Some values are objective and some are subjective.

The foundational value is, of course, the maximization of one’s potential. The only way for this to be an absolute value is if there is an absolute standard for potential. This standard is, of course, existential — meaning that men technically “choose”* the values.

If there is a value (and consequently a morality) that is not relative to whim, it must obviously be because man has an inherent standard built into his mind.

That said, to make sure there is no confusion, I believe that man is inherently prone to /not/ enjoy Hell. So threat of Hellfire is a great starting point to the formulation of values. ;-)

]]> By: David Personius http://www.shaunconnell.com/the-philosophy-of-rational-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-422 David Personius Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:31:30 +0000 http://www.shaunconnell.com/?p=120#comment-422 Happiness is the emotional response to the achievement of one Happiness is the emotional response to the achievement of one

]]> By: Daniel http://www.shaunconnell.com/the-philosophy-of-rational-happiness/comment-page-1/#comment-421 Daniel Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:19:53 +0000 http://www.shaunconnell.com/?p=120#comment-421 Hey Shaun great to see you at the open. Great post, I really like your point that to create a consistent value system, even a Christian one, you must be selfish in some way. I've always had such a hard time explaining that idea of Rand to others. Hey Shaun great to see you at the open.

Great post, I really like your point that to create a consistent value system, even a Christian one, you must be selfish in some way. I’ve always had such a hard time explaining that idea of Rand to others.

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