The Philosophy Discussion Forum

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2026 5:31 pm As an agnostic, I wouldn't call myself happy. I mostly just ruminate over the absurdity and futility of life. However, from what I've witnessed of theists, they may not always be happy, but they seem to have more happiness in life than I do.

It makes me wonder: Am I not happy because I'm agnostic or am I agnostic because I'm not happy?

Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2026 5:56 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2026 5:31 pm As an agnostic, I wouldn't call myself happy. I mostly just ruminate over the absurdity and futility of life. However, from what I've witnessed of theists, they may not always be happy, but they seem to have more happiness in life than I do.

How about non-theists? Do they seem to have more happiness than you?

If you are actively religious you tend to be happier than secular people. But if you are actively social as a non-religious person the gap disappears. And the gap disappears if the theist is does not participate so much in religion's social and community life. So the steps toward happiness might have nothing to do with being agnostic.

It makes me wonder: Am I not happy because I'm agnostic or am I agnostic because I'm not happy?

Were you ever a theist, perhaps as a child? You might find an answer looking at when you changed.

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2026 6:32 pm Happiness probably has a lot more to do with one's connections (or lack of) with others around us.

Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2026 7:09 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2026 6:32 pm Happiness probably has a lot more to do with one's connections (or lack of) with others around us.

I think so. I think depression, for example, has been overmedicalized...because that makes certain people a lot of money. There is a movement to focus on connections instead. Johann Hari has written a couple of interesting books, one on this topic Lost Connections and another on addiction

In Lost Connections he argues that correcting these disconnections is vastly better than the medical approaches. But, how are people helped to make these connections? There's the rub.
Disconnection from meaningful work--Work feels controlled, pointless, or lacking autonomy.
Disconnection from other people--Loneliness, weak social bonds, lack of belonging.
Disconnection from meaningful values--Living by extrinsic values (status, money, appearance) instead of intrinsic ones (community, growth, meaning).
Disconnection from childhood security / unresolved trauma--Early adverse experiences shaping later emotional vulnerability.
Disconnection from status and respect--Chronic feelings of inferiority, inequality, or lack of recognition.
Disconnection from the natural world--Little contact with nature or embodied environments humans evolved in.
Disconnection from a hopeful or secure future--Loss of agency, stability, or belief that things can improve.

Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2026 7:09 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Mar 21, 2026 6:32 pm Happiness probably has a lot more to do with one's connections (or lack of) with others around us.

I think so. I think depression, for example, has been overmedicalized...because that makes certain people a lot of money. There is a movement to focus on connections instead. Johann Hari has written a couple of interesting books, one on this topic Lost Connections and another on addiction

In Lost Connections he argues that correcting these disconnections is vastly better than the medical approaches. But, how are people helped to make these connections? There's the rub.
Disconnection from meaningful work--Work feels controlled, pointless, or lacking autonomy.
Disconnection from other people--Loneliness, weak social bonds, lack of belonging.
Disconnection from meaningful values--Living by extrinsic values (status, money, appearance) instead of intrinsic ones (community, growth, meaning).
Disconnection from childhood security / unresolved trauma--Early adverse experiences shaping later emotional vulnerability.
Disconnection from status and respect--Chronic feelings of inferiority, inequality, or lack of recognition.
Disconnection from the natural world--Little contact with nature or embodied environments humans evolved in.
Disconnection from a hopeful or secure future--Loss of agency, stability, or belief that things can improve.