In the U.S. Declaration of Independence we find a statement about the importance of allowing people to pursue happiness (click here to read the Declaration of Independence). Since few, if any details about what constitutes happiness are provided in this document, we may infer that each individual should be given the right to freely make that determination for himself or herself (as long as it does not interfere with the civil rights of others, of course).

The way the word "happiness" is used, however, has to do with that to which we commit ourselves, with the result that we experience a sense of enjoyment or fulfillment. Although the choices may seem innumerable, the fact is we must all be committed to something. If we weren't, we would have no values, no purpose to our existence, and then die of self-neglect.

How should we determine our commitments? Should they be the result of a careful examination of all the options? Or maybe they should be those pursuits which seem to readily give us pleasure. Perhaps they should simply be developed over time without having any apparent conscious process which leads to them. On the other hand, what if it doesn't matter how we determine our commitments?

If the way we determine our commitments didn't matter, it would follow that that to which we are committed does not matter, for the end results would vary greatly. If, however, that to which we are committed is important, then it would follow that it matters how we determine our commitments.

Furthermore, if we will indeed have some kind of eternal existence, as a majority of people seem to believe, would it not follow that we ought to be committed to something that will have eternal significance to us? What greater satisfaction can we have than to know that that to which we are committed will be a source of everlasting happiness to us and will never be destroyed?

Suppose that our commitments are important and we will have an eternal existence. If we want our commitments to have the most significance, should they not be based on objective truth? That is, should they not flow from an accurate understanding of ultimate reality? Otherwise, how can we be sure we are really committed to the right things?

Lastly, suppose that it is also possible for us to know objective, ultimate truth to a substantial degree. Would it not behoove us to seek such knowledge, and to seek it diligently? Would it not be foolish for us to neglect to do so?

I hope you somehow find the above helpful in your pursuit of happiness.

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