Julian Baggini: Despite its prominence, the contemporary, science-backed pursuit of happiness nevertheless raises serious questions about our value system. If all that matters is that we feel good, then what about other ideals we hold for the good life? In particular, if truth and happiness conflict, which one should prevail: blissful ignorance or painful knowledge?
From last year's best-of: What if I want something more than the pale facsimile of fulfillment brought by a parade of ever-fancier toys? To spend my life restlessly producing instead of sedately consuming? Is there an app for that? As long as you can look fearlessly at the sky, you'll know that you're pure within and will find happiness once more. They thought that if they had a bigger mortgage they could get a bigger house. They thought if they had a bigger house, they would be happy. It's pathetic. I've got four houses and I'm not happy. Happiness exists just around the corner, it's just a matter of figuring out how to get there. Is there a formula -- some mix of love, work, and psychological adaptation -- for a good life? You can't be happy all the time, but you can pretty much focus all the time. That's about as good as it gets.
Baggini: As might be expected from a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think-tank, this is a solid but arid assessment ...
From this week's Economist: "Let's be honest," said Rahm Emanuel, Mr Obama's chief of staff: "The goal isn't to see whether I can pass this through the executive board of the Brookings Institution. I'm passing it through the United States Congress with people who represent constituents." That attitude, shot back Bill Galston, one of the slighted think-tank's senior fellows, all but guaranteed that Congress would duck the hard issues.
Baggini: It seems that uncertainty, change, and the perception that there is a gravy train others are riding but you're not, conspire against the gains of economic growth.
Decius: Paul Graham asks what living in your city tells you. Living in the north Perimeter area for 6 odd years now has told me that everybody makes way, way more money than I do. It's not inspiring so much as it makes you sympathize with class warfare.
Baggini: The issue, according to Barbara Ehrenreich, is whether we start with the facts or with our attitudes.
Have you seen "Doubt"? Father Brendan Flynn: You haven't the slightest proof of anything!
Sister Aloysius Beauvier: But I have my certainty!
Where happiness lies | 
