First, we were all invited to declare our present perception of happiness on a 1-10 scale (the median was approximately 5 or 6), then we selected our presents (beautifully wrapped, meticulously paired with thematically-appropriate quotations from the texts we've been reading all semester... mine was from J.S. Mill, "Happiness = pleasure - pain"), and just a few of us then chose to exchange our lucky draws for someone else's luckier one.
Some got books, some candy, one a giant comb, another itch cream, and I forget what all else... but when it came time to rate our happiness again, we were all quantifiably happier. I went from 8 to 9, resisting 10 for fear that I'd then have to echo William James's remark to Henry Adams: “Though the ULTIMATE state of the universe may be its extinction, there is nothing in physics to interfere with the hypothesis that the PENULTIMATE state might be a happy and virtuous consciousness. The last expiring pulsation of the universe’s life might be, “I am so happy and perfect that I can stand it no longer.”
Does our susceptibility to material influence, our reported spike in happiness based on the experience of receiving small brightly colored gifts, make us all superficial, externally-oriented, dependent-on-"stuff" kinds of people? I think it just makes us festive, clearly ready for a little holiday cheer. I was cheered, and sorry to see this class come to a close.
And besides Irene's wonderful Santa act we had terrific reports from Kevin on Sufism, and from Eric-- not a "grump" at heart at all, in my opinion-- on the importance of pursuing happiness like a rational being (and not like a sheep or a bystander).
So what's our coda? James Taylor fits the mood sometimes, but maybe Keith and the boys are better for the final curtain.
Charles Darwin (
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I enjoyed all the presentations today. Kevin's report on Sufism was really kool, and I think you are right Erik is not a grump he what I call an actuality!
As for the dirty Santa... I didn't have enough time to get into much detail because the class ended, but I do not believe the rise in happiness across the board was due to the material gifts at all. The game lowered defenses. We were able to experience the excitement of anticipation of a child seconds before the Christmas packages are ripped open. Once the gifts were revealed some of us experienced being washed over by a memory that gave the object in hand meaning for us and for others happy glimpses of the future. And others just reveled in the joy that was beaming from all happy faces. I enjoyed this project from beginning to end. Thank you all for playing today. I started out a 10 and I’m sure I was cresting on an eleven when I left. You can find me on “Face Book”! =-)
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