Wednesday’s Wanderings – 13.02.13

The nature of ‘Happiness’

As life passes by we often ask ourselves how we can be happier. With the recession, high un-employment, an increase in crime, rising living cost, etc, it seems the search for happiness remains a mystery. A prize that is lost at the end of a rainbow. Where can we find a map to get to the end? To find happiness? The answer to these questions seem to be littered throughout every book store in the world. Entire sections are dedicated to well-being, positive thinking and healthy lifestyles. All of these books are promoted by people with Cheshire cat grins and over-the-top proclamations of how “this can change your life”.

Before we delve into the cultural phenomenon that is self-improvement I want to go back to basics.

What is ‘Happiness’? Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being. Happiness is characterized by positive or pleasant emotions.

Biologically, happiness is a state induced by high levels of serotonin (5-HT). 5-HT is a neurotransmitter that is used mostly to control your GI tract and Central Nervous System. This heightened level of serotonin causes mood changes, behavioural differences and a heightened CNS (also known as fight or flight). Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter which counteracts excitatory neurotransmitters. In a normal, calm human, the levels of 5-HT and the excitatory neurotransmitter GABA are balanced. When something in our surrounding changes, one of our 5 senses pick up on this and cause a change in levels of 5-HT and GABA which affect our mood.

The most common factor in biological happiness is food. There are 2 distinct types of ‘food happy’. Comfort foods affect us psychologically whereas certain foods affect us physiologically. Comfort foods vary from person to person but our gender plays a big part (I would give you the link to the survey I read on this but I honestly can‘t remember where I read it, nor can I be bothered to hunt for it). Females tend to favour sweet foods, while men prefer savoury foods. The problem with comfort foods is that because the change in neurotransmitters is reliant on the memory of this food making you happy, the change is not sustainable and will dwindle in just a few minutes. Sushi is the main food which affects our physiology. Because of a type of acid called DHA (a major ingredient in Omega 3 fish oil), sushi has the ability to cause a huge increase in 5-HT production. This spike in 5-HT has a prolonged effect on our body causing a sense of prolonged happiness.

So with both the basic dictionary definition and the biological proof of how we become “happy” out of the way, I would like to touch on a few other theories to do with happiness. Starting with self-actualization.

Self-Actualization has become a very common word within the cult/religious/better-lifestyle area of reading. Kurt Goldstein is the psychologist who coined the term self-actualization in his book The Organism. I’m paraphrasing here but the jist of it is: In an effort to become truly happy one must actualize, as much as possible, ones individual capacities. To fulfil ones potential.
Using Goldstein’s theory another psychologist, Abraham Maslow, created a pyramid called ‘The Hierarchy of Needs’ (Below) This hierarchy is the breakdown of the path to fulfilment and self-actualization.

Using Goldstein and Maslow’s works as a backdrop, American psychologist Martin Seligman created a simpler, more accessible definition of self-actualization. Seligman coined the acronym PERMA, which describes the 5 things that evoke happiness.
Pleasure – Things such as good food, comfortable environments, etc.
Engagement – Doing something which engages you. Things like reading, video games or puzzles.
Relationships – Self-explanatory
Meaning – A sense of higher purpose. (Directly correlated with religion)
Accomplishments – Completing a set challenge or goal.

In Buddhism happiness is a central theme. The Fourth of the Four Noble Truths is the Noble Eightfold Path. The journey to self-awakening in Nirvana (The place of eternal peace). The eight elements are: view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration. By attaining each of the eight elements Buddhists believe they can achieve eternal peace and awakening.

To me, religion and psychology go hand in hand. The belief that by following a task list of doing a, b and c, you will reach a place of eternal happiness. I think this is bullshit and I’ll explain why.

Sociopathic personality disorder. A person (me) with this disorder holds antisocial views and a distinct lack of conscience or emotion. This disorder is directly linked with low levels of 5-HT. Disorders such as Williams syndrome are linked with high levels of 5-HT. This causes over friendliness and a cheerful demeanour. (Disclaimer – I am completely aware of the 100’s of other things that are effected by these disorders. I am using the ones that are necessary to my point)

I live a normal life and am able, if I wanted to, go about achieving each of the steps of Maslow’s hierarchy or follow the Noble Eightfold Path. This wouldn’t change my physiology. No lifestyle change can permanently affect my physiological makeup. Someone with Williams syndrome does not have the mental capability to understand and achieve the self-actualization or self-awakening without the aid of another, mentally able, adult. Again, by not completing any of these self-a’s the genetic makeup is not changed and their levels of 5-HT will not be changed.

For these simple reasons I discount both the religious and psychological theories and revert to sticking with the biological research as fact. (Disclaimer – just because I discount these theories on this topic doesn’t mean I will not continue to read, learn and listen to what they teach as everything has a place and there is nothing that I cannot learn from, no matter how small)

Now for the interesting question. Is happiness measurable or subjective?

There are 3 generally recognised measurable tests for happiness. The Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWL). All use a questionnaire and are based on a numerical system working between 2 extremes. Very normal stuff. My issue is that my level of serotonin varies massively. I could be in an uncomfortable place when taking the test, momentarily skewing my score due to my varied mood. I could have just had some sushi. For me a more reliable test is the Subjective Well-Being (SWB) test. This factors in personality traits, moods, general satisfaction with life, quality of life, the list goes on. The SWB tests personality traits and genetic predispositions to establish a baseline for the actual test. This to me would produce a more accurate results. Despite all the factors and baselines and variables in the SWB test, I do not believe happiness is measurable.

I actually do not believe in happiness. The same way I don’t believe in depression (another day maybe). Happiness is a word we use to describe a temporary mood. The key word being temporary. Despite a low level of 5-HT I feel content. I do not feel restless or uneasy or worried. My moods shift in different ways and on different levels but I do not feel happy or sad all the time. No-one does. I feel that self-actualization and self-awakening is just a fancy way of saying you have a clear head. When you are free of debris of the brain you can think clearly and logically, although there is little logical about religion. This clear thinking means that outside influences have less of an effect on you. This does not change your biological makeup – if you eat sushi you will still have a heightened mood – it simply gives you a better control of the temporary shifts in mood.

Now back to the self-help, self-improvement books. First I would like to point out the glaring irony of needing a book written by someone else to help you on the road to SELF improvement. I’m also aware of the contradiction that Buddhist’s have to be taught by someone to follow the path of self-awakening but Buddhism doesn’t flaunt its teachings for £14.99, or spend £19.99 and get a free health magazine subscription and a gym ball. The feeling of self importance is something that everyone should feel at one point in their life. Once that feeling has been achieved by all means help whoever you want but do not – for the sake of my love of bookstores – write a book claiming you know the key to eternal happiness.

My closing quote for today is: The only person that can change you is you. Do not let others tell you that you can’t do something. Your physiology will gradually change but your genetic makeup will not. Live with it, adapt and do the things that make you feel euphoric and don’t dwell on the things that do the opposite. Also, don’t go into the self-help section of Waterstones. It’s where Satan lives.

Wednesday’s Wanderings – 06/02/2013

Wednesday’s Wanderings Disclaimer

All of my other blogs will, I intend, be structured, cohesive and eloquent. Wednesday’s Wanderings will be full of colloquialisms (I just cut ‘on the other hand’ from this sentence), philosophical interjections which hold no weight or bearing and will probably never be elaborated on and random trains of thought that may offend, disturb and/or annoy those of you with moral and ethical hearts.

This leads directly into my topic for today.

The Line

“ You’ve crossed the line”

“That’s out of line”

How many times have we heard these phrases in our lifetime? What does it mean to you?

This is a huge issue with me. I speak openly about everything. I purposefully turn my speech filter off as I would rather be 100% honest and hurt someone’s feelings than lie. This imaginary line that I perceive to be ones threshold of truth – where truth becomes to blunt, plain honest, realistic and logical that emotions flair up and get in the way.

I myself do not tow this ’line’. I hold no ill feelings towards those that speak candidly of me, on the assumption that it is said to my face. I do however begrudge anyone who dare act one way to my face and another behind my back. Not least because I can read peoples faces better than most (a topic for another day) but also because the duality of man lies only in their choice to split personalities (also a topic for another day).

Back to ‘the line’. In what situation does one cross ‘the line‘?

In my experience replacing a white lie with the truth is hurtful but does not do any undue harm in the long run. However, replacing silence with the truth is harmful. This is where lines are crossed. More often than not this is done without thinking. A harmless, off the cuff statement of fact or opinion that someone takes offence to. Herein lies my issue.

The line is crossed when one person takes offence to another’s statement.

As Spock once said “Logic clearly dictates that the need of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” “Or One” as Kirk interjects.

Now. If the statement was a statement of FACT my gripe becomes that of logic. If a fact is stated, assuming that the fact is based on proof and can be justified in discussion, then no feelings should be affected. A fact is a fact. You cannot argue feelings over fact. The logic stands. Logic is, in my eyes, the be all and end all of everything. One person getting butt-hurt over a single statement of fact does not nullify the fact. No line was crossed. The person that tries to argue that feelings should be taken into account when making a statement of fact is not thinking logically. All arguments can, and should be solved by fact, not feelings. Feelings are individual, illogical and vary wildly from person to person. To the person that gets hurt by a statement of fact, I pity you.

On the other hand, if the statement was a statement of OPINION my gripe is irrelevant. I cannot argue my opinion on a topic against another without fact. Opinions vary as do feelings. Which is why they go hand in hand in many arguments. I for instance feel that a worldwide euthanasia of certain people would be beneficial to our generation and that of future generations. My problem occurs when people argue that Hitler had the same idea. This is fact. The opinion battles comes when I explain that I don’t want to wipe out races. I want to removes burdens from society. This then crosses ethical boundaries. One’s that are quantifiable as ‘lines’. The Human Rights Act and the democracies that are in control of all major powers throughout the world prevent anyone from carrying out the acts that go with my opinions. My argument is: I have not crossed a line. As quantifiable as ethics are, they are still based on opinion and until opinions can be proved they can never be fact. Without fact you cannot determine ‘a line’. For this reason statements of opinion should hold no bearing on the feelings of others as you cannot change an opinion with an opinion. State fact or ignore. Simple, logical solutions which hold no emotional bearing.

These are simple things that I live by which leave me free of worry. I have my opinions, that I voice in openly but not in an effort to convert, I am not the Pope, I also do not hope others hold my opinions against me as I do not hold theirs against them. Painting all with one brush because of a simple statement of opinion is close minded and illogical. If you want to have more meaningful conversations which may result in you learning something that you were not previously aware of then an open, logical mind is a necessity. Without it you come across ignorant, bigoted and stupid, for lack of a better word.

With this I leave you a with my closing statement (of opinion) for today.

Logic and fact trumps opinion and emotions. For a more fruitful learning experience do not hold your opinions in higher esteem until they become fact. Also, try not to get butt-hurt when others say something that is opposite to your thinking. Maybe they know something you don’t. Learn before dismissing.