Ignorance is Bliss

[Laxadarap]

In my philosophy class the professor has been arguing that the "most worthy" kind of life is the one where you seek knowledge.  In other words, it is better to question your surroundings and learn, than to live blindly, for example with an extreme religion.  I would like to argue that the goal of life is to be happy (mentioned by Aristotle, and countless other philosophers, as well as this just makes sense) With all else equal, a more knowledgeable life is more worthy, but what if it does not make you happier than your blind life? We will assume that there is no harsh contrast in your beliefs in society, so you beliefs are never thrown into doubt. 

Should there be a distinction for best sort of life for you personally, or for society in general? 

[Zso_Zso]

Good question. In practice, the way I see it the most "successful" people tend to be very busy, overloaded, stressed out, not exactly happy. On the other hand, I do know some people who live pretty simply life yet always seem to be in a good mood.

I guess it comes down to personality. For some people, the "sit back and relax" option isn't fun and does not make them happy.

The question of "What's best for society?" itself is quite loaded and may not be so trivial as it seems for first glance.
E.g. Does Bill Gates live a life that is good for society ?
- some people think so, because he made a hugely successful company and now supports various charities with his money
- however he made his money with rather questionable ethics, driving various other truly innovative companies into bankruptcy, so one can argue that without him, technology would have advanced faster (by other companies he killed), and the money would have been better "invested".

[cometbah]

Define 'worthy'?

[Laxadarap]

Worthy seems to be a subjective word, but it can be taken to mean the best.  Part of what is going into this is the assumption that there is an objective, best kind of life.  Imagine you were an alien looking down on 2 humans, would you be able to judge who had lived the better life without knowing anything about our customs?  Should customs and traditions even be taken into account when considering the best life (is it right to assume that there is an objective "best"?

[Bloodshadow]

What if you just hook your brain to a machine that puts your consciousness into a state of pure euphoria and bliss? That does in fact make you happy, so is that a good kind of life?

[Laxadarap]

What if you just hook your brain to a machine that puts your consciousness into a state of pure euphoria and bliss? That does in fact make you happy, so is that a good kind of life?

It is, if the best kind of life is a happy one (suggested by Aristotle).

[Furby]

Here are some other thoughts:

Most people will explain happiness as things like drinking, sex, drugs, partying, etc. Only some people will argue that things like religion, philosophy, real talk: those are the meaningful things in life and are thus the best.

Accordingly, if it is within the topic, we could talk about intensity vs quantity as well as some other arguments for the 'higher happiness' vs the 'lower happiness.'

[Laxadarap]

Here are some other thoughts:

Most people will explain happiness as things like drinking, sex, drugs, partying, etc. Only some people will argue that things like religion, philosophy, real talk: those are the meaningful things in life and are thus the best.
I believe you are implying that religion, philosophy, and "real talk" (please clarify) are the best things in life.  Does knowledge have intrinsic value? Or is it just because we as a society value it?

Accordingly, if it is within the topic, we could talk about intensity vs quantity as well as some other arguments for the 'higher happiness' vs the 'lower happiness.'
If I understand higher and lower happiness as being knowledge vs. pleasure, then we could probably include it in the discussion with a slight shift. 
Could you clarify on intensity vs. quantity? Or at least "quantity".

[Rutarete]

Could you clarify on intensity vs. quantity? Or at least "quantity".

Do you want a large plate of 20 cookies or 5 super-sweet cookies? Which would make you happier?

^ Is what I think he's talking about.

[Furby]

Spoiler for Hidden:

Could you clarify on intensity vs. quantity? Or at least "quantity".

Do you want a large plate of 20 cookies or 5 super-sweet cookies? Which would make you happier?

^ Is what I think he's talking about.

Exactly.

Here are some other thoughts:

Most people will explain happiness as things like drinking, sex, drugs, partying, etc. Only some people will argue that things like religion, philosophy, real talk: those are the meaningful things in life and are thus the best.
I believe you are implying that religion, philosophy, and "real talk" (please clarify) are the best things in life.  Does knowledge have intrinsic value? Or is it just because we as a society value it? Well, as Kant (I think it was Kant's theory) argues: things in life that will benefit you the most are the greatest amounts of happiness. Also, there is the argument that those who deem the 'lower' happiness things have never truly tried the higher. Example: if a dog became human, it would never want to be a dog again basically.

Accordingly, if it is within the topic, we could talk about intensity vs quantity as well as some other arguments for the 'higher happiness' vs the 'lower happiness.'
If I understand higher and lower happiness as being knowledge vs. pleasure, then we could probably include it in the discussion with a slight shift. 
Could you clarify on intensity vs. quantity? Or at least "quantity". Exactly what Rutarete said.

[Laxadarap]

Could you clarify on intensity vs. quantity? Or at least "quantity".

Do you want a large plate of 20 cookies or 5 super-sweet cookies? Which would make you happier?

^ Is what I think he's talking about.

Well since after about the 7th cookie or so, you would stop wanting cookies (well I guess it depends on the size), 5 super sweet ones are better XD.

@ Furby: It may be true and that Kant (assuming it was him as well, as I don't know) is right about higher vs. lower happiness, but what makes a certain happiness more valuable than another? Also, we are assuming that the "ignorant" person never comes into contact with higher order happiness.  (I realize this was not exactly your point, I just wish to clarify).

[Furby]

Well, certain happinesses are better since they are meaningful.

By the way, I found it: not Kant, it is Mill.

Take drinking for instance. Why is it so many people love to drink? Basically, to escape reality. You are having fun because you can escape the reality of maybe the fact you are not happy or something. This is just one view of Mill's. Mill then says if only these people tried the higher ones...they would find meaningful happiness.

You can replace meaningful with 'absence of pain.'

Examples: drinking only helps you escape reality, but will not get you any farther in life and can lead to drinking problems. Having sex a lot can lead to broken relationships/won't really get you farther in life.

OH! but if you go school--->get a degree=big job=big money. Now you are living.