Pleasure is the beginning and the end of living happily.
.....Epicurus
Economists assume that the pursuit of happiness or "utility" motivates
behavior. But what makes us happy? What fulfills us? Money and success are
surely important, but do we care more about them in an absolute sense or in a
relative sense? Is it better to be a big fish in a little pond or a little fish
in a big pond?
We have
unmatched access to goods and services, but do we enjoy them? Do we know how
to enjoy them? We have unmatched opportunities for leisure, yet feel
crushed by pressures for more time. While increased wealth should enable
us to devour cultural activities on an unprecedented scale, the live performing
arts are in financial chaos.
I wonder
why?
II-G. Happiness
1.
It's All Relative
2.
Lots of Stuff versus More Stuff
3. Too Much to Do
4.
Starving Artists
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