Therefore, happiness derived from actions is never of a permanent nature and consequently the feelings of satisfaction are also temporary. The transient nature of the pleasure implies that man would endeavor to achieve it again and again. (as in sex). Also happiness is not only limited to food and copulation. Things such as the well-being of our children, our own social esteem, are also factors that bring happiness.
To quote from the Ecclestiases "All human toil is for the mouth, and yet the appetite is not satisfied." In this scheme of things designed by nature, people are continuously attracted by a plethora of things and propelled into action, which they feel would give them that ultimate happiness. But, all through their existence, people don't realize the futility of their quest for never ending happiness. After all, their genes were not designed to yield them that elusive eternal happiness. Once we understand the science behind evolution and the role that our genes play in it, it would throw better light into our own existence and a better understanding of our own behaviors (addictive personalities and addictive behaviors).
This evolutionary genetic scheme seems to confirm the truth in our spiritual doctrines. All the religions of the world have one thing in common. They all have propounded the futility of chasing after desires and fleeting pleasures. They talk...
The truth behind these doctrines is easily evident when we understand how our genes have conditioned our actions for millions of years. Leave alone the theological outlook, at least one thing is certain from a scientific perspective, as Richard Dawkins states, "We are survival machines - robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve the selfish molecules known as genes." [Keith E. Stanovich]. We are all just dancing to evolution's tune without realizing the transient nature of all the material lures. As the author states "the good news: we are born for fun. The bad news: it's not built to last." Our genes have deliberately destined us to dabble in a world of pleasure and pain for evolutionary reasons, all the time keeping us well absorbed in the illusion. This is the grand process of evolution through which our genes march on towards their immortality.
Bibliography
1) Robert Wright, "Dancing to Evolution's Tune," 'Time', January 7, 2005
2) Bruno Dubuc, "The Brain from Top to Bottom: The Role of Dopamine," Accessed on 11th February 2005, http://www.thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_03/d_03_m/d_03_m_que/d_03_m_que.html
3) Keith E. Stanovich, "The Robots rebellion: Finding Meaning in the Age of Darvin," Accessed on 11th February 2005, http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/770893.html
