Reg: 05-2005 Loc: Island Closest to Heaven Posts: 83 Greatness: 9 (+13/-4)
Re: What can money NOT buy? You cant "buy" happiness because it isnt for sale. Money can only make you happy if material things make you happy, in which case it is the having of those things that your happiness comes from. Not the money itself.
I think though that happiness comes from the fulfillment of your desires and you can hardly argue that money does not help you with that. But to use money to provide you with lasting happiness you need some imagination in your actions. If you have an idea of what you want then without a doubt money can bring it, but it is simply the means of reaching your ends. What makes you happy is the capacity to act unrestricted in your own life.
--- Stand and deliver, or the Devil he may take you
Reg: 04-2003 Loc: London, England Posts: 8839 Greatness: 284 (+380/-96)
… So if someone gave the money to charity will that not make someone happy? Is that not fullifillment of someones desires? And material does make you happy, would you rather be homeless with nothing? No, I think you'd want the money for "materials" to be happy and live, I don't understand how people think money doesnt make you happy. It wont give you true happiness but it'll make you happy none the less.
Reg: 12-2004 Loc: Between madness and insanity. Posts: 954 Greatness: 92 (+108/-16)
Re: What can money NOT buy? *Puts on Philosopher's Hat.*
I think that generally what is being said is that we need to take a careful view at happiness, how we view it, and how we can attain it.
People don't want to say that money can buy happiness because thewy view it as a superficial answer. People are not comfortable with the idea that happiness, an innate human emotion that churns within our own being, can be bought with something as simple as currency.
This is a fair enough answer, however, it is not all-encompassing. It is clear that money can provide you with things that can make you happy. I know that my Mum's spaghetti makes me quite happy, but ingredients need to be paid for.
Those on the "money can't buy happiness" camp will tend to argue that there are levels of happiness that can be achieved. More superficial stages of happiness may be satisfied with what money can bring.
However, 'deeper, truer happiness' is beyond the powers of the physical, and must be achieved on an emotional level, the realm in which happiness originates. For example, as much as I love Mum's spaghetti, it can't provide me with true happiness. The love and affection that I share with my Mum (and the rest of my family) however, appeals on a deeper scale, making me happy on that 'truer' level.
The magnitude of happiness such love can bring (arguably) cannot be bought, which is where this concept may originate.
*Takes off Philosopher's Hat.*
--- Prima: "If we waste any more time on 'weeaboo', we'll be bankrupt by the end of the month!"
Secunda: "Did someone just say 'weeaboo?' Because I heard someone say 'weeaboo'."
Persons 2-10: "Wee-a-boo! Wee-a-boo!"
Reg: 04-2003 Loc: London, England Posts: 8839 Greatness: 284 (+380/-96)
… Yeah I agree with you Arb, it can't give you true happiness you get from love for example. But people who say money won't make them happy in the slightest make me laugh.
Re: What can money NOT buy? Happiness isn't really bought.. you experience happiness, its a by-product of direct or indirect actions taken by one person. Money is just one way of experiencing happiness.
Reg: 11-2003 Loc: Port City Baltimore Posts: 1111 Greatness: 66 (+81/-15)
Re: What can money NOT buy? However, 'deeper, truer happiness' is beyond the powers of the physical, and must be achieved on an emotional level, the realm in which happiness originates. For example, as much as I love Mum's spaghetti, it can't provide me with true happiness. The love and affection that I share with my Mum (and the rest of my family) however, appeals on a deeper scale, making me happy on that 'truer' level.
The magnitude of happiness such love can bring (arguably) cannot be bought, which is where this concept may originate.
I'm not too sure about that. Consider my situation for a moment. Now that I'm back in Baltimore I'm truly happy. Why?? Because I'm surrounded by family and friends and I love living here. I had to spend money however, to move up here, so in a sense money did buy me this happiness.
--- Icewind Dale II talk
Ulbrec: ...Ennelia and Braston will meet you there, Targos's fate hinges on your success.
My response: I think Targos's fate hinges on how much Shawford can pay us from the Targos treasury.
Reg: 12-2004 Loc: Between madness and insanity. Posts: 954 Greatness: 92 (+108/-16)
Re: What can money NOT buy? A good example Gren, but I saw it coming from a mile off. Or at least something to the tune of "Money bought my way out of Florida!" ^_^
This can still fit in my theory however. You can move to Baltimore, and be happy on a moderate scale because you're in Baltimore, your beloved homeland. However, the relationship that have with Baltimore and your family that live there can be considered as deeper than something that money can buy.
In this example, money bought you a small happiness that led to the joys of a greater happiness money cannot buy. I suppose its one of those theories that can exist and not exist at the same time. Pffft, don't ask me, I ain't a philospher. ^_^
--- Prima: "If we waste any more time on 'weeaboo', we'll be bankrupt by the end of the month!"
Secunda: "Did someone just say 'weeaboo?' Because I heard someone say 'weeaboo'."
Persons 2-10: "Wee-a-boo! Wee-a-boo!"