A THEORY OF HAPPINESS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11646, 25 August 1905, Page 4

A THEORY OF HAPPINESS.

Thb views of a German. thinker,- professor » of physics and chemistry in 'the'' institute ' at Leipsig, on the subject of 'happiness, : are expounded in an ingenious essay which he has contributed to -the. ' International 1 Quarterly. He enumerates the exercise' of > .physical energy, and the circumstance that 3 what' Happens 'to iisis'in harmony ;, with <3 our desire, as the two decisive factors .in ; the development of human happiness; and •' yet, as it appears to us; he has overlooked a third factor, quite as important and in* : fluent ial as either of the other two — namely, the 'exercise of such an amount - of mental energy as is capable of bringing all the faculties'^ of the mind into active . and healthful play, and of thus promoting the enjoyment of the individual in the { same^way and, to the same" extent as physical energy, "not carried to excess, strengthens and exhilarates the body, provided both these forms of activity are congenial \to the habits, tastes, "and feelings of the person who exercises them. The professor proceeds to. put his views into the shape of a mathematical formula, which is too elaborate for quotation. Passing on to speak of the opposition which life offers to the realisation of happiness, he remarks that this can be best overcome by choosing a. mode of life in which, resistance is rare" or' entirely absent. Then, again, heie^ gards %noney as affording an effective means of neutralising opposition,, but does not omit to point out that "the gain in happiness after the acquisition of moderate possessions grows smaller ' and smaller. This," he adds, "is most strikingly *een in the case of those who have spent the best part of their lives in getting jnoney and in neglecting their interests Sil.jart, science, and benevolence." • ~&ti&h people fall into the common mistake of considering its acquisition as an end, and not as the means to an end, that end being to command the conditions -under which- they can lead a life, honourable in itself, {and . beneficial to their fellow men — a life, in which no moral or social obligation/Vis evaded, no duty left 'unfulfilled, and health of mind and 1 body is the natural. result and reward of the simultaneous and harmonious exercise of the best powers and' Highest capabilities of both. „-,