I mean, everything is part of the universe, including our brains and the chemicals inside them that manifest experientially as happiness and sadness. You can certainly take more control over what causes those emotions in you, but you’re still part of the universe.
I suspect that’s where evolution comes in, as it is a strong driving force that’s pushing us in a direction continuously, so in that sense we evolved a sense of happiness or sadness.
Being broke and hungry doesn’t make anyone happy really.
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett:
„
right," said Susan. “I’m not stupid. You’re saying humans need… fantasies to make life bearable.”
REALLY? AS IF IT WAS SOME KIND OF PINK PILL? NO. HUMANS NEED FANTASY TO BE HUMAN. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THE FALLING ANGEL MEETS THE RISING APE.
“Tooth fairies? Hogfathers? Little—”
YES. AS PRACTICE. YOU HAVE TO START OUT LEARNING TO BELIEVE THE LITTLE LIES.
“So we can believe the big ones?”
YES. JUSTICE. MERCY. DUTY. THAT SORT OF THING.
“They’re not the same at all!”
YOU THINK SO? THEN TAKE THE UNIVERSE AND GRIND IT DOWN TO THE FINEST POWDER AND SIEVE IT THROUGH THE FINEST SIEVE AND THEN SHOW ME ONE ATOM OF JUSTICE, ONE MOLECULE OF MERCY. AND YET—Death waved a hand. AND YET YOU ACT AS IF THERE IS SOME IDEAL ORDER IN THE WORLD, AS IF THERE IS SOME…SOME RIGHTNESS IN THE UNIVERSE BY WHICH IT MAY BE JUDGED.
“Yes, but people have got to believe that, or what’s the point—”
MY POINT EXACTLY
„
I’VE NEVER BEEN VERY SURE ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT, said Bill Door. I AM NOT SURE THERE IS SUCH A THING AS RIGHT. OR WRONG. JUST PLACES TO STAND
Reaper Man - Terry Pratchett
I actually don’t agree with this sentiment, but this is now a Discworld thread, and I can’t stop it
What is right for the spider is wrong for the fly.
Right/Wrong is subjective and entirely depends on the surrounding circumstances of those involved and how the action in question affects their interests.
Well, it means there’s no objective right or wrong without context. And we people are the context, so while there’s no right or wrong, no magical karma system that would judge your actions, there are things that are very obviously right or wrong from the point of view of other people.
At first, drowsy me read the whole thing after reading the first line as “Teri Hatcher”.
One of the better reasons for religion is that comprehending the uncaring vastness of the universe risks breaking our minds
But once you stop running from it and embrace it, you will become truly free.
Agreed.
Incomprehensible horrors stretching the boundaries of sanity is the spice of life <3
Yes and I’d live my life no other way. I’d rather go mad than to grow internally dishonest, and as a consequence externally as well.
Unfortunately they’re right in some cases. I can’t really handle it.
If getting what we want makes us happy
And what we want is to be sadThen are we happy or sad?
I’ve gotten about 90% of the things I’ve ever wanted and I still don’t consider myself particularly happy, so I’m not sure if that is the way to get there.
Naw, I’m sure that wanting to be sad and getting that is the way to happiness… Err… Or…
I love the freedom of nihilism, our brain chemicals are the only thing making us happy or sad, they create morals, love, hate.
You know what, I guess in a way hormones are more human than the brain itself?
Nah, hormones are just a chemical compound. It’s the brain that gives them meaning. Which itself is pointless without the body which gives it context.
We’re really the whole package - you’re as much your legs as you are your brain.
Modern research usually shows that - your body and your mental health are deeply connected. A trauma physically alters your brain. How you feel directly shapes how healthy you are. And how healthy you are shapes how you feel.
