John Stuart Mill's Happiness Controversy

One of the most common statements that are made in today’s society is to “Make yourself happy”. This leads to the controversy of how to create and achieve yearned for levels of happiness.John Stuart Mill is correct when he states that happiness cannot be reached when it is being searched for; it can only be achieved by focusing on things other than your own happiness. First, what is happiness? Dictionary.com defines happiness as the quality or state of being delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing. To explain, this is an important thing to keep in mind when considering how happiness is achieved. Along with just being a feeling, happiness is the basis that this country was built on. For instance, as shown in Darrin M. McMahon’s …show more content…
To explain, the people feel that there is “too much concentration on gross national product and there should be more focus on gross national happiness”. One suggestion that was made by McMahon in regards to Mill was to put in time with a charity, spend time with family, or a walk in the park. McMahon followed that by saying that “If you’re lucky, you’ll find happiness; if not, your time won’t be wasted. You might even bring some joy to the world.” To clarify, McMahon is emphasizing the idea that happiness cannot be searched for as stated by Mill. Another issue that was brought into consideration is the issue of doing these activities and not achieving happiness. In response to this, when doing these activities one cannot be trying in any way to reach happiness. To explain, Mill stated, “Let your self-consciousness, exhaust itself on that; and if otherwise fortunately circumstanced you will inhale happiness with the air you breathe, without dwelling on it or thinking about it”. By trying even in the slightest to achieve happiness, you are destroying any chances you have at …show more content…
One of the easiest times of the year to see his idea in action is around the holidays. For instance, around Christmas time, there are Salvation Army buckets placed outside of stores. Meanwhile, somewhere in the parking lot, there is a young child and their mother walking toward the store. As soon as the child sees the bucket they start begging their mother for something to put in the bucket; the mother hands the child some money. As a result, both the child and the person who receives the money from the child inhale some essence of happiness. Along with this, another example of Mill’s ideas is in regards to family. To explain, when a child is young one of the many things that a parent teaches them is that they need to use the bathroom in a real toilet. In other words, a parent and child will face off with one another until the goal is achieved. Mill’s idea is shown when the child and their parent finally reach their goal. To clarify, a when the child finally reaches their goal, there is a sudden outburst of happiness by the parent and the child. In contrast, the parent and child did not begin this journey in order to achieve happiness; they were focused on something other than happiness which allowed them the chance to be happy. However, in both of these examples, an outsider could say that they do not have children; therefore, they are not able to reach their desired level of