Thanks for this framework—as someone relatively new to EA, I think it sounds useful, and I appreciate the openness to different ways that people might resonate with EA. This post makes me think about the differences between concepts of happiness that relate to eudaimonia, or flourishing and leading a fulfilling life connected to one’s potential, versus hedonic pleasure, which studies show often leads to always searching for the next exciting “hit” of pleasurable, exciting experience. It’s very easy to get caught up in excited altruism, but as you pointed out, a purpose-driven approach is likely to create much longer-lasting engagement. I also agree with the statement that “Leading a meaningful life with a clear purpose improves mental health, self-worth, and self-confidence. Finding your purpose is often seen as a goal and can lead to significant happiness,” but I was a bit unsure what you meant by “Ultimately, having a purpose is seen as a good thing and having an obligation is seen as a bad thing.” It seemed like you were pointing toward a potential re-framing of the idea of obligation here, but I could be misunderstanding what you said—did you mean that we should revise our ideas about obligation being negative and instead understand it as a positive sense of duty akin to the purpose you mention? Or, were you simply pointing out that this word is seen as negative in our culture, and you would also see it as a “bad thing” in relation to EA?
Thanks for this framework—as someone relatively new to EA, I think it sounds useful, and I appreciate the openness to different ways that people might resonate with EA. This post makes me think about the differences between concepts of happiness that relate to eudaimonia, or flourishing and leading a fulfilling life connected to one’s potential, versus hedonic pleasure, which studies show often leads to always searching for the next exciting “hit” of pleasurable, exciting experience. It’s very easy to get caught up in excited altruism, but as you pointed out, a purpose-driven approach is likely to create much longer-lasting engagement. I also agree with the statement that “Leading a meaningful life with a clear purpose improves mental health, self-worth, and self-confidence. Finding your purpose is often seen as a goal and can lead to significant happiness,” but I was a bit unsure what you meant by “Ultimately, having a purpose is seen as a good thing and having an obligation is seen as a bad thing.” It seemed like you were pointing toward a potential re-framing of the idea of obligation here, but I could be misunderstanding what you said—did you mean that we should revise our ideas about obligation being negative and instead understand it as a positive sense of duty akin to the purpose you mention? Or, were you simply pointing out that this word is seen as negative in our culture, and you would also see it as a “bad thing” in relation to EA?