The Pursuit of Happiness? by Jackson
Jacksonof Delta's entry into Varsity Tutor's August 2017 scholarship contest
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The Pursuit of Happiness? by Jackson - August 2017 Scholarship Essay
As a college professor, I would teach philosophy or, more specifically, a course on Practical Hedonism.
Hedonism, or the pursuit of happiness, generally has a bad reputation--and for good reason! To dedicate life to the dogmatic scramble towards perpetual pleasure is not only unattainable—it ultimately makes life feel empty and void of purpose.
However, Practical Hedonism turns hedonism on its head to study the here-and-now; rather than the pursuit of happiness, it is an acceptance of daily life as it occurs.
Unfortunately, the superficial pursuit of happiness is ingrained deep within our society and values.
What definition of happiness are we giving to our kids? Are we implying that happiness comes from a nice house, a beautiful wife, or a prestigious job? Schools often try to define happiness for students. In order to be successful, one must have a good GPA and score high on standardized tests--leaving the van Goghs feeling stupid and the Mozarts believing they are incompetent. Television promises happiness through blonde models standing by sports cars. Music dictates that happiness comes from copious amounts of sex.
But why? Why do we give more weight to these things than the sound of wind rustling through leaves on a cool autumn day, or the smell of a white rose in Spring? These things have no cost and yet we give them such little thought. I consider guffawing among great friends far more pleasurable than driving a fancy car.
Too often, we forget to savor the little moments that make up our life. We spend our time so focused on attaining the next momentary spark of intense pleasure that we forget the in-between.
This course would not only explore the social development and history of hedonism, but also practical ways to apply Practical Hedonism in every walk of life.
We lead such brief lives. It would be a shame to waste it on the pursuit of emptiness.