Pleasure, happiness, meaning, fulfilment ... a fresh perspective [17th January 2022]
Pleasure can lead to happiness, but a happiness that is fleeting (e.g. eating chocolate) ... whilst having meaning in one's life can lead to fulfilment and a happiness that is lasting (e.g. doing good for others).
The former refers to hedonistic well-being and the pursuit of pleasure for oneself, whilst the latter refers to psychological well-being and the pursuit of a fulfilled and meaningful life, by doing good for others and having a purpose beyond oneself.
For this reason, and perhaps counter intuitively, the pursuit of pleasure/happiness rarely results in lasting happiness ... and it's only the pursuit of meaning and a purpose beyond oneself that does.
Psychology and Philosophy have both consistently highlighted this and this level of knowledge and understanding has been with us ever since the great Greek philosophers (e.g. Aristotle), so how have we veered off track? and how do we get back on track?
This is what the Good Turns Foundation has been set up to do ... with its' mission of "creating a world where good is valued and people and communities thrive" ...
Perhaps I should really have called this a refresh of perspective ... rather than a fresh perspective ... as in my humble opinion philosophers such as Aristotle (a pupil of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great) had placed us upon the right track many 1000's of years ago ...
David Clift, Founder of the Good Turns Foundation
© Good Turns Foundation 2022 [GTF17012022_01]
