Is the happiest person you know—the wisest person you know? According to the American philosopher William James, there is a direct connection between philosophy and joy. Similarly, Montaigne called cheerfulness the surest sign of wisdom.
In The Varieties of Religious Experience, James wrote,
Good humor is a philosophic state of mind; it seems to say to Nature that we take her no more seriously than she takes us. I maintain that one should always talk about philosophy with a smile.
James believed, “The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.” In a similar way, Marcus Aurelius advised, “Learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.”
Are you focusing on what actually matters (on what truly makes a difference)? If not, how might doing so bring greater happiness to your life?
In his Essays, Montaigne suggested,
The soul in which philosophy dwells should by its health make even the body healthy. It should make its tranquillity and gladness shine out from within; should form in its own mold the outward demeanor and consequently arm it with a graceful pride, an active and joyous bearing, and a contented and good-natured expression. The surest sign of wisdom is constant cheerfulness.
The Stoic philosopher Seneca also connected happiness and wisdom. In a letter to Lucilius, Seneca wrote, “No one can live a truly happy life, or even a bearable life, without philosophy; while it is complete wisdom that renders a life happy, even to begin that study makes life bearable.”
Many ancient philosophical traditions stress the importance of viewing philosophy as action, and James believed this notion also applies to happiness. “Actions seem to follow feeling,” observed James, “but actions and feeling go together… Thus the sovereign voluntary path to cheerfulness, if our cheerfulness is lost, is to sit up cheerfully and act and speak as if cheerfulness were already there.”
The path to becoming happier and becoming wiser are one and the same.
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Thank you for listening; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
JW
The Joy of Philosophy