I had an interesting insight this morning. I don't claim that this is in any way original or profound. However, I am still, in many ways, an African in my thinking, and so things like this tend to take a little while to sink in.
Americans (meaning USA'ians) have this conviction that they have the inalienable, God-given (ironically, even those that don't believe in God) right to be happy. And this is interpreted in the narrowest possible terms, meaning "ME" and "NOW". Now, clearly, not everyone is stupid, but these ideas seem to be so deeply installed in the psyche of people who have been raised steeped in this mindset that many folks don't even question them.
Personally, I think that this idea that you have a right to be happy is hogwash. And I think that the idea that you have a right to *pursue* happiness (whatever that may end up meaning) is probably hogwash too, but I'll have to think about that one a little more.
Anyways, this not-terribly-profound insight helped me understand, at least a little bit, why some folks can do certain things, and think that they are doing the "right" thing. In particular, it strikes me as being a significant contributor to the divorce rate in this country. Becase, after all, my personal happiness, and my being happy *right now*, is more important than any corporate happiness, any community stability, and more important than the fact that decisions will adversely affect people at least two generations in either direction, as well as a significant number of friends and acquaintances. This is how people can honestly believe that they have made a good decision, while doing things that are destructive, both to themselves, their family, and society as a whole, although, when observed with any degree of objectivity, can only be seen as being petty and selfish.
Further implications of this observation, in the context of our view of history, our reactions to the national security issue, and the way that we drive, for starters, are also very interesting, but I really need to get ready for work. Although, I suppose, my right to individual happiness suggests that I should just stay here and think deep thoughts.
But I'll finish up with a quote from John Adams, which I think is very relevant. Adams said that the role of government is to "secure the maximum amount of happiness for the largest possible number of people." Note that this is a very different thing from individual happiness, and that only 200 years of selfishness and misinterpretation can have turned it into that. Although, it's moderately clear to me that if we work towards the happiness of everyone, the happiness of the individuals will unavoidably follow.
Hmm. Perhaps I'm a communist.
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OK, one additional remark, while I'm thinking of it. Ayn Rand believes that selfishness is a virtue, and that altruism, or any view of the "common good", is nonsense. It is interesting that, while she was considered radical, and even dangerous, when she started writing, many of her ideas are very much main-stream these days, and at the very core of how "we" look at the world. While I can't recommend that folks read everything she wrote (at least with a straight face) I do encourage thinking folks to read "Atlas Shrugged" at the very least, and perhaps some of her other stuff. Although I'm still working through it, so I can't really tell you the best place to start, I think Atlas gives a really good notion of some of her ideas.
While you may or may not be a communist you are most definitely a commaist.
Wow, there are a lot of commas in that post!
:-)
Posted by: phydeaux on January 12, 2004 11:44 AMHey there, sootface :)
Chris directed me to this post because it seems so similar to some thoughts I'd been percolating this week. Oddly enough, I have been contemplating the "right" to the "pursuit of happiness."
My conclusion (albeit an obvious one) is that this is a completely wrongheaded and counterproductive notion. You can spend a lifetime pursuing happiness and never find it. Happiness is something that has to be discovered wherever you are.
I'll not deny that external circumstances can make life extremely difficult. Nevertheless, the choice for happiness is inside each of us. If we can't choose it where we are, chances are that we wont be able to maintain it anywhere else either. There've been plenty of times in life that I've been tempted to run from my problems. Thing is, they're my problems and they always catch up with me. Sooner or later you have to choose your ground, turn and fight.
You are absolutely right when you point to this being fundamental to so much that is screwy in our culture. Of course the common good will benefit all. Problem is, we don't care about the community, we just want to get as much for numero uno as we can get our hands on. The individual is the ideal, and civilization can go to hell in a Gucci handbasket.
Posted by: Tabitha on January 12, 2004 09:06 PMPhydeaux is worried about punctuation and Tabitha is seeking a materialistic blanket of comfort. Your point seems to have been lost on both of them. I however, find myself nodding in agreement to your posting.
From my own life experiences and personal view, I have to agree with what Tabitha said to some extent. The "problem is, we don't care about the community, we just want to get as much for numero uno as we can get our hands on. The individual is the ideal, and civilization can go to hell in a Gucci handbasket." As the decades pass, America has gone from a family oriented society to one where the individual is more important. As a result, our society regresses. We have no unifying purpose and no higher goal, other than to increase our own personal wealth at the expense of those around us. It is reminiscent of the Romans, no? It is sad how we continually fail to learn from history and instead seem content to simply repeat it. "200 years of selfishness and misinterpretation" will only lead us to where other great nations once stood and have long ago fallen.
In a day and age where we witness the unification of Europe for a common goal and purpose, the American ideal alienates itself from the rest of the world by focusing on the benefits to an individual. The future will not be in America where we have twisted the ideals on which our country was founded.
When I look to the rest of the world, I see a growing unrest between those who have and those who have not.
It will be interesting to watch it unfold.
Posted by: Pano on February 1, 2004 02:54 PM