Causes of Happiness By Bertrand Russell 

Q.     How does Russell make happiness possible in the present world of tension? Bring out those factors which can enable the modern man to achieve happiness?

Ans.    Russell proves that happiness is possible in the present world of tension, competition, ostentation and other complexities. He remarks that one can make life happy because happiness mainly depends upon one’s own efforts

            “Man is artificer of his own happiness” After indicating the psychological and social causes of unhappiness, Russell points out some psychological aspects of human nature which can make life full of enjoyment and happiness. These certain psychological aspects as are and essential to seek happiness. These are as under.

(i)      Zest                                  (ii)    Affection

(iii)    Family                             (iv)    Work

(v)     Impersonal interest

(vi)    Effort and resignation

(vii)   The happiness

            Zest is the first and the most important cause of happiness it is an essential part of human nature. Zest keeps man alive and maintains charm in life without it life becomes dull and bore. The basic condition to keep zest alive is to develop the habit of taking interest in external world a person with zest for life takes interest even in unpleasant things such as earthquake, conflagration and shipwreck. In women zest has been diminished by a mistaken concept of respectability. According to Russell restrictions upon society are directly responsible for loss of zest. He suggests that there must be a balance between restriction and enjoyment and the role of zest in life should not be ignored because without it man becomes more introvert which is an abnormal state.

            Next to zest is lack of affection. Which is one of the greatest causes of lack of happiness in life. It is a feeling in which one feels that he is not loved, being a natural instinct, it seeks satisfaction. This feeling may be due to deprivation of parental love and lack of self confidence. The intensity of this feeling makes one against society. A person with such feelings suffers from inferiority complex and melancholy. This bent of mind could be changed by adopting realistic outlook because the only way to get affection is to give affection and receive it in return as Shakespeare says:

“Kindness gives birth to kindness”.

The third factor which is greatly responsible for happiness is family. In this modern era the institution of family has disintegrated. Russell feels sorry for this disintegration of family. According to Russell the economic independence of woman makes life happy her dependence upon her husband arise many financial problem. Democracy has brought a remarkable change between the relationship of children and parents, now children are not bound to respect their parents. Russell says that mother’s love for her children is different from sex-love, he tries to prove that parental love never diminishes for children even in adverse circumstances. He is of the opinion that a well established family makes a sound society.

Work is also considered a source of happiness. Russell is of the opinion that it is very essential for a happy life. But one should keep it in mind that work does not mean professional work, rather work in leisure. Exercise of a skill for a constructive purpose is the chief source of happiness. Because without work life becomes meaningless. Most of the idle rich men suffer from boredom. To escape from boredom and monotony they find relief in hunting and flying round the world. People who have constructive outlook have a clear purpose before them, therefore, they render great service to society. While the people with destructive bent of mind without any clear aim makes destruction. Russell stresses that life should be regarded as continuous process and purposefulness should govern our activities.

Impersonal interest is another source of happiness. It is an interest in some work besides professional work. Russell quotes the example of a scientist who may take great interest in some work other than science. Impersonal interest brings a healthy change in regular routine work. In state of anxiety, it is better to keep one involved in amusements, watching games, playing golf and going to theatre to divert attention. It broadens ones vision. If we remain confined within our personal work we become narrow minded and fanatic. To widen our activities we should involve ourselves in impersonal interests.

The sixth source of happiness is effort and resignation. Effort and resignation in a proper manner are essential for human happiness. According to Russell, life is full of struggle, and trials. Success is not a ripe fruit which drops in the mouth without effort. However, there must be limitations of efforts. A wise man does not waste his energies for unattainable matters. He does not go beyond his power. Russell suggests that one should not involve one’s self in the achievement of a purpose which collapses mind and body rather one should resign to the forces beyond his power.

In Russell’s point of view, resignation is of two types, one rooted in despair and other in unconquerable hope. A defeated person learns the resignation of despair. Whereas a man of strong hope does not lose heart even in front of enemies, diseases and death. Russell concludes that the secret of happiness lies both in effort and resignation.

In the last, Russell finalises that happiness largely depends upon one’s own efforts. Russell rejects Mr. Krutch’s view that happiness is impossible in this world. If a man with good health, food, shelter is unhappy, then it is a psychiatric case. We should come out of our subjectivity and self-pity. Russell condemns introvert bent of mind. To him, a happy man is one who takes interest in external world and lives objectively with wide interest. Because self-absorption is enemy of human happiness, and makes us selfish and indifferent. Through interest in outside world, we can enter the kingdom of happiness.

Points to Remembers:

1.         Happiness is a bent of mind.

2.         Zest.

3.         Affection.

4.         Family.

5.                  Impersonal interests.

6.                  Effort and resignation.

7.                  Conclusion.

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