Are Humans Naturally Happy?

Objection 1. Humans are usually in a constant state of fluctuating emotions and therefore cannot be determined to be either naturally happy because of their changing state. Instead, they are naturally unhappy having to deal with the imbalance of emotions.

Objection 2. The world and the body is an unnatural place for the soul. This being so, a person is naturally unhappy being born in a place that cannot sustain the spirit.

Objection 3. Humans cannot be naturally happy if so many people in the world are unhappy.

Sed Contra. It is written (Ps. 83:12): "The Lord will give grace and glory."

I answer that, everything in nature has an inclination towards what agrees with them (happiness). That inclination is in our nature and can be described as natural law. However true this may be, man’s nature is also fallen and therefore does not merit perfect (divine) happiness. This being the case, man must work towards happiness. Happiness has to be the intentional end in the first act or as Aristotle says, “Although the end be the last in order of execution yet it is the first in order of intent.” When we sin (do something against our nature) we do not stop our path towards happiness but rather take a step to the side and then start again once we’ve rectified or have gotten over our misstep. Although we will experience limited happiness on Earth, we can never experience the ultimate happiness that awaits us in heaven. We know that limited and true happiness exists because it is the one end all people want and it is sought after for its own good.

Reply to Objection 1. Although human’s emotions are ever changing, that says very little about their nature. Human nature dictates that man want what is good for his essence. This being the case, man’s nature dictates happiness despite of his mood swings. The mood swings are rather caused by a consequence of man’s imperfect nature and will be purged away.

Reply to Objection 2. While Platonist will argue that the world of matter is a less than perfect place than the world of the forms, it is not the case. Rather, this world is real and good because it is a creation of God. This world is the only link between God and man before death, which is the ultimate judgment. This being so, man can experience happiness on this world, although limited. This limited happiness, however, will give birth to ultimate happiness that is something we must wait for.

Reply to Objection 3. Although unhappiness does exist in this world it is due to people’s dependency on the wrong things. Also, it does occur that chemical imbalances in people or traumatic events occurring to people affect their happiness. However, it is also the case that people do find happiness despite these handicaps.

04/12/2005

Posted on 04/12/2005
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