Freedom or Happiness?

[SonofaGun]

Which do you think is more important, personally? Simply, would you rather have free will- and that's up to you to define as you wish- or to feel happy?

Granted, freedom does often beget happiness. But that's not what I'm asking- I mean only would you rather have freedom to decide things for yourself, or total and uncompromisable contentment with the state of your existence?

well clearly complete contentment, if I ever got there, I surely couldn't be upset about having no freedom.

[Imsogone]

Freedom leads to happiness.

What about when someone else's freedom trumps yours? Freedom is not a guarantee of happiness. It simply means you are allowed to alter the environment in such a way that you may create happiness for yourself.

But, what if you could simply have happiness, without concern for freedom? Would you take that instead?

I'd rather be free. If I'm free I have the right to pursue happiness, which is the best anyone can do.

In any case, the question is a non-question because what it postulates is drivel. I don't know of anyone who can be happy without being free. Yes, you can be free and unhappy, but you cant' be happy and not free.

[Cobhanglica]

Freedom. I can't be happy without freedom.

[Yenke-Bin]

Freepiness.

happydom!

[Seud]

Freedom=Happiness
no freedom
no happiness

[H N Fiddlebottoms VIII]

Both are illusions, but the general move seems to be toward happiness. Very few people seem to want the freedom of wandering off into the woods to be a crazy homeless person.

[The chrisman union]

I can't be happy without freedom.

[Lakhon]

Give me liberty or I'll take it myself.
Regardless of my own happiness and life.

[Euphiceos]

I'd pick happiness any day. Freedom is only a tool for creating happiness. I'd be perfectly fine with out any control over my environment as long as I was happy.

[Euphiceos]

I'd pick happiness any day. Freedom is only a tool for creating happiness. I'd be perfectly fine with out any control over my environment as long as I was happy.

[Euphiceos]

OSIER

[Rumbria]

Happiness -

I'd pick happiness any day. Freedom is only a tool for creating happiness. I'd be perfectly fine with out any control over my environment as long as I was happy.

[SonofaGun]

Both are illusions, but the general move seems to be toward happiness. Very few people seem to want the freedom of wandering off into the woods to be a crazy homeless person.

I do... but then, thats only because I think I'd be happy yo do so.

[H N Fiddlebottoms VIII]

Both are illusions, but the general move seems to be toward happiness. Very few people seem to want the freedom of wandering off into the woods to be a crazy homeless person.

I do... but then, thats only because I think I'd be happy yo do so.

There's nothing stopping you, or anyone else really, from doing so. Grab a stick, don some sack cloth, shave your head and go write the next Testament. Or get a gun and hunt the most dangerous game: yuppies out on a nature walk.

[Krsta]

Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

[Chrobalta]

Freedom is happiness.

[Iniika]

I think if I was happy, then my condition would be irrelevant. If I were discontent with my level of freedom, then I obviously wouldn't be happy.

However, if I had freedom, then I have the ability to be happy or miserable.

I guess the answer to the question would depend on what the end goal is (to be happy?) and also, the definition of what is freedom. The more I read it in this thread, the less I understand what people mean by it. The more it feels like a talisman word of artificial happiness.

[Free Soviets]

I think if I was happy, then my condition would be irrelevant.

from within the perspective of the happy entity, sure. but if you think about yourself in a more objective way, you presumably want something more out of life than mere happiness. because we could hook you up with drugs and nutrients and keep you happy until you die of old age, but that ain't a way to live.

[Georgism]

I think if I was happy, then my condition would be irrelevant.

from within the perspective of the happy entity, sure. but if you think about yourself in a more objective way, you presumably want something more out of life than mere happiness. because we could hook you up with drugs and nutrients and keep you happy until you die of old age, but that ain't a way to live.

If you're happy, why not?

[JuNii]

Which do you think is more important, personally? Simply, would you rather have free will- and that's up to you to define as you wish- or to feel happy?

Granted, freedom does often beget happiness. But that's not what I'm asking- I mean only would you rather have freedom to decide things for yourself, or total and uncompromisable contentment with the state of your existence?

hard to answer. after all, Freedom would make me happy, but total, unrestrained freedom won't. after all, whatever type of Freedom I have, others would have to have it to. meaning they would have the same total, unrestrained freedoms I have.

same with Happiness, I could be happy with someone providing me with all my amenities, but then that person will have to be happy with providing it to me.

I could never enjoy my freedom or happiness if others don't have the same level of enjoyment as I would have.

[Wilgrove]

Freedom.

[JuNii]

Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

nothing about that pursuit being successful.

[Rambhutan]

I think the logical choice is to pick happiness. Freedom does not guarantee happiness you can be free and miserable; but if happiness is only possible for you if are free then by picking happiness you are guaranteeing your freedom by choosing happiness.

[Free Soviets]

I think if I was happy, then my condition would be irrelevant.

from within the perspective of the happy entity, sure. but if you think about yourself in a more objective way, you presumably want something more out of life than mere happiness. because we could hook you up with drugs and nutrients and keep you happy until you die of old age, but that ain't a way to live.

If you're happy, why not?

because it is a cheapening of everything that makes a life good, mistaking something associated with a good life for the good life itself.