I’m not sure what to think about this, but it does have me thinking. From “Stumbling on Happiness” by Daniel Gilbert (which I got from my father and have just started reading), this quote of John Stuart Mill:
It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, are a different opinion, it is because they only know their own side of the question.
I don’t know if I agree with that or not. Sometimes I envy my golden retriever, that she’s always happy, no matter the kind of day she’s had, or what pleasures we’ve afforded her recently.
Other times, not so much.
But if you stare at it long enough, or put on your 3-D glasses, it becomes clearer. You’d rather not be a pig or a fool, right? Your dog is not a pig or a fool. She is just satisfied. Not because she’s a pig or a fool, but because she has that special something, that she comes by naturally, to make her satisfied. That’s where we want to be. If I were a minister, I’d take that point to the next level, but really, we’re all just looking for the special something that dogs have. ;-)
Comment by gwynne — October 2, 2006 @ 7:06 pm
Wow.
I *was* thinking that maybe I should read some more John Stuart Mill.
*Now,* I’m thinking I should read more Gwynne.
Thanks, Gwynne.
Comment by Brian — October 3, 2006 @ 5:45 am
Heh. Stick with John Stuart Mill. He will serve you much better in the end. ;-)
Comment by Gwynne — October 7, 2006 @ 5:42 pm