The Pursuit of Happiness

All human beings aspire and aim toward the achievement of happiness. The pursuit of happiness is the main force to motivate and propel their actions. Nevertheless, happiness is an elusive concept that lacks a consistent definition and a single method of attainment, thus every individual opts for a different method for achieving the much coveted happiness.

Human behavior is determined by a complex system of needs, interests, urges, drives and emotions, all of which are influenced by genetics and the environment. Needs, interests, urges, drives and emotions (hereinafter: “motivating factors”) do not always exist in full harmony but rather, to a certain extent, they may contradict and negate each other. Every person maintains a hierarchy of motivating factors which guides his conduct. This hierarchy is unstable and transformable in accordance with the specific situation. Among “stable” people, the level of change is lower than among those defined as “unstable”. Every individual has a different behavior pattern and different rating for motivating factors. Nonetheless, we are all motivated by the same desire to fulfill these motivating factors on our path toward attaining the more distant objective, i.e. happiness.

“Absolute Happiness”

In order to better understand the essence of the “happiness” to which we all strive and which eludes us all of the time, we will look into an unrealistic concept known as “absolute happiness”. Absolute happiness is a state in which an individual reaches simultaneous satisfaction and contentment with all of the motivating factors, i.e. all of his needs, both material and spiritual, have been met, all of his urges and drives have been satisfied and he has achieved all of the objectives and interests that he has set for himself. Indeed, such a situation is not realistic, seeing that it is impossible to achieve all objectives at once, especially since the motivating factors may even contradict each other. People who have achieved momentary happiness have fulfilled one or two needs or urges, but they have yet to satisfy their other urges and drives, thus their happiness is never complete.

Since absolute happiness is unattainable, although it is the peak of our aspirations, we strive at all times to achieve at least the relative momentary happiness. This is where the hierarchy of motivational factors, defined individually by each person based on his attributes, comes into the picture. Some believe that a great deal of money will ensure their happiness and thus they place it as a top priority. Others believe that learning, fulfilling their curiosity and achieving scientific discoveries will satisfy their needs. Yet others seek respect, glory or a good reputation as being the most important objectives. Some people believe that obtaining power and the ability to influence people are the main goals, others seek peace, a healthy and happy social and family life while other groups set their top priority as fulfilling their sexual desires. There are people who enjoy illusion and imagination, and people who enjoy using drugs.