The question is asked, “How do we acquire happiness?” Are we
taught the way? Do we just wing it and learn from our mistakes? Is it simply a God
given gift or do we get lucky and happen into it? If God was to give us a gift,
it would certainly be happiness above anything else. But this isn't a religious
study. Regardless of the origin, we do see that it comes through virtue and a
process of learning and training. Since happiness is the prize for doing our
best and the end of all our efforts, it does have a God like quality. This is
commonly understood by normal people.
Those who haven’t been totally maimed in their ability to
practice virtue can achieve it again by paying attention and learning. Should
we leave the rest to chance as some argue? Leaving anything to nature or chance
means to let it go and let nature take its course. It also means that it is as
good as it gets. To improve things requires the use of our rational mind. Our
potential exists in this realm. The greatest and most noble causes should not
be entrusted to chance.
It takes three things to acquire happiness; virtue of the
soul, goods that are necessary and goods that are useful but not necessary. It
should be the goal of a society to make these things available to its citizens.
They should especially educate their citizens on how to have a solid character;
to be good and capable of noble acts.
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