Syllogistic Reflection 5
Syllogistic Reflection 5
Andrea María Lessage Herrera | A00833298
Keys to Happiness for Human Flourishing
Joel Alberto Sierra Cavazos
November 26, 2021
Syllogistic Reflection
As the semester comes to its end, I can’t help but think about where my head should be compared
to where it was before I began this journey, and where it actually is at the moment. I wonder if the
numbness I feel is ok. According to VerywellMind “When you’re overwhelmed or feeling
helpless, it's not uncommon to turn to emotional numbness since it provides you with a protective
defense. While this may provide temporary relief, learning to cope with difficult feelings this way
can have long-lasting consequences.” The purpose of coming here was to study and do good in
order to secure a better chance at success in my professional life. Yet, that’s exactly what I’ve
done, studied, worked hard, met expectations —so far. So, why am I not happy? how do stop this
emotional burn-out that causes numbness?
Kant, in a way that is unusually not the most ethical, describes happiness as getting what one
wants. Therefore, if I have achieved exactly what I came here to do, I should be happy. Not only
have I fulfilled my objective but also my duties to my parents, by putting all my effort and focus
on school and making them proud. In The Metaphysical Principles of Virtue, Kant describes
happiness as “continuous well-being, enjoyment of life, complete satisfaction with one’s
condition.” Consequently, to my lack of contentment, I question whether or not I am satisfied with
the outcome of the time that I’ve spent at Tec. Even though I accomplished the main goals that
were set out for me this semester, deep down I might not have wanted that the most, to begin with;
however, this leads me to wonder: If, I did not really want that outcome the most, then what did I
actually want? I might not have that answer yet.
Socrates tells us that if you don’t know what’s good for your soul, then you’ll be misled into
pursuing happiness based on what’s conventional (money) or easy (escapism). This is a dead-end.
Furthermore, if you do know what’s good for your soul, then you’ll do it naturally since it’s the
nature of good to be desired. This is the Socratic path to happiness.
Thus, to reach Kantian happiness in getting what I want, I must first take a Socratic posture. I have
to find what my soul truly needs to thrive and then find the joy in that pursuit; because, in contrast
to Kant’s views, Lenoir teaches us that “Whether or not we achieve our goals, in fact, is not the
essential matter. We aren’t going to wait until we’ve reached all our objectives before we start
being happy. The path matters more than the goal: happiness comes as we make our journey. But
the journey makes us happier the more pleasure we take in making progress, the more clearly the
destination towards which we are moving is identified (even if we have to change tack on our
journey), and the more it meets the deepest aspirations of our being.” (Lenoir, 2015)
I don’t have to have it all figured out, but I can learn from Kant that happiness is about a wanting
that is not as superficial and common as good grades, it’s something that transcends materialistic
goods and possessions. I have to go on a Socratic journey in search of what will accurately make
my soul happy, and I don’t need to find it right away to make the negative emotions go away and
cope in a healthier way, I can find joy in the ride as long as this is true to my real aspirations.
Funded in the meaning that I want to give to my life and not on shallow ideals that lack a backbone
to validate themselves. I know it will be tricky, but there’s no harm in changing my mind and
learning new things about myself along the way, what matters most is that I keep my forage honest
and genuine to my soul.
References
Lenoir, F. (2015). Happiness : A Philosopher’s Guide: Vol. 1st ed. Melville House.
Lindberg, S. (2021). What Is Emotional Numbness Retrieved on November 26, 2021 from
VerywellMind https://www.verywellmind.com/emotional-numbing-symptoms-2797372
Lund Hughes, J. (2004) “Aporia” Retrieved on November 26, 2021 from
https://aporia.byu.edu/pdfs/hughes-the_role_of_happiness_in_kants_ethics.pdf
Connolly, M (September 8, 2007) “On Happiness – Socrates” Retrieved on November 26,
2021 from https://www.happinessstrategies.com/2007/09/08/on-happiness-socrates/
