Paradoxes of happiness

Martin (2008) demonstrates that there are several paradoxes concerning happiness. On the basis of his arguments we can identify the following twelve paradoxes of happiness which he divides into four categories of paradoxes of happiness: paradox of aims; paradox of success; paradox of freedom; and paradox of attitudes.

• It is self-defeating to pursue pleasures directly because one can be happy only by pursuing a meaningful activity for its own sake and not by making pleasure the aim of life.

• Self-interest can be served through wider interests in other things and persons

• One lacks a clear conception of what will make one happy. Satisfaction of desires can make one happy and lack of fulfillment of desires can often make one happy. There is no formula of happiness.

• One lacks a clear conception of what will make one happy. Satisfaction of desires can make one happy and lack of fulfillment of desires can often make one happy. There is no formula of happiness.

• Means of happiness are not different from happiness. If one thinks that marriage will make one happy, no one can say: “forget about the marriage, here is the happiness.”

• Happiness has more to do with the seeking rather than with acquiring something

• Money or economic progress, “contrary to the widespread illusion” does not produce happiness. In the context of poverty, improvement in income may contribute to one’s happiness but beyond a certain point contribution of money in happiness is marginal.