Generally we think about maximizing happiness as an abstract moral claim. We’re in favor of whatever really does maximize happiness in the long run, even if the direct strategy is different. So we’re okay with the idea of promoting stoicism rather than positive psychology, even if we’re utilitarian. The possibilities that we may become unstable, suffer greatly at the first sign of hardship, lose productivity due to addiction, etc are all things that matter to a happiness maximizer in various ways, because they make people suffer in the long run.
On the other hand, this really seems like a difficult psychology question. What attitude promotes the best mental well-being in the long run? Maybe stoicism is more sustainable and robust. Or maybe it’s not, maybe positive psychology is also a good route to acceptance. I think it’s not clear.
What attitude promotes the best mental well-being in the long run? Maybe stoicism is more sustainable and robust. Or maybe it’s not, maybe positive psychology is also a good route to acceptance. I think it’s not clear.
I agree! My own understanding comes mostly from personal experience, observation and logic reasoning, as well as a lot of research around that topic. However, I don’t know of actual quantitative data collection comparing both approaches and their effects on well-being and the sustainability. So I try very much to stay open minded towards new data, and would love people to share it if they know of comparing research data.
However, to be honest my interest isn’t actually aiming for improvement of individual feelings but for improving the ability and skills to do good. And what we know so far in order to be efficient in being good (meaning effective in working for one’s own values) one needs to be mentally strong and resilient, and not fearful to a potentially cruel truth, to not manipulate data collection and analysis.
Because, what is the value if it is discovered that being an ideal effective altruist isn’t a happiness maximizing thing to do. I question that, because I very much believe being classic altruistic (if at all), and not effective altruistic, has way more potential to gather positive feelings.
Generally we think about maximizing happiness as an abstract moral claim. We’re in favor of whatever really does maximize happiness in the long run, even if the direct strategy is different. So we’re okay with the idea of promoting stoicism rather than positive psychology, even if we’re utilitarian. The possibilities that we may become unstable, suffer greatly at the first sign of hardship, lose productivity due to addiction, etc are all things that matter to a happiness maximizer in various ways, because they make people suffer in the long run.
On the other hand, this really seems like a difficult psychology question. What attitude promotes the best mental well-being in the long run? Maybe stoicism is more sustainable and robust. Or maybe it’s not, maybe positive psychology is also a good route to acceptance. I think it’s not clear.
I agree! My own understanding comes mostly from personal experience, observation and logic reasoning, as well as a lot of research around that topic. However, I don’t know of actual quantitative data collection comparing both approaches and their effects on well-being and the sustainability. So I try very much to stay open minded towards new data, and would love people to share it if they know of comparing research data.
However, to be honest my interest isn’t actually aiming for improvement of individual feelings but for improving the ability and skills to do good. And what we know so far in order to be efficient in being good (meaning effective in working for one’s own values) one needs to be mentally strong and resilient, and not fearful to a potentially cruel truth, to not manipulate data collection and analysis.
Because, what is the value if it is discovered that being an ideal effective altruist isn’t a happiness maximizing thing to do. I question that, because I very much believe being classic altruistic (if at all), and not effective altruistic, has way more potential to gather positive feelings.