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@ Beneath The Ink
2025-02-20 13:14:38
## How Are We Defining Happiness?
In 1776, Thomas Jefferson penned the words that would echo through history:
> ***“…that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”***
These words were not simply a poetic flourish—they reflected a deep understanding of philosophy, one that Jefferson, an avid reader of Aristotle, likely connected with the Greek concept of***eudaimonia***.
Aristotle described eudaimonia as the highest form of human flourishing, achieved through virtuous living, strong character, and meaningful social bonds.
But what does happiness mean today?
According to<a href="https://worldhappiness.report/" target="_blank">the World Happiness Report</a>, six factors determine a nation's happiness:
1. Income
2. Health
3. Social support
4. Freedom to make life decisions
5. Generosity
6. The absence of corruption
These components closely mirror Jefferson’s vision of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet despite living in an era of unprecedented convenience and opportunity, many in our generation struggle with unhappiness, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction.
## So, what went wrong?
I believe its largely because of the absence of mentorship in modern society.
Aristotle emphasized that a person’s character—shaped by habits and guided by mentorship—was central to a flourishing life. He saw mentorship not as a luxury but as a necessity for cultivating wisdom, resilience, and social responsibility. Yet, in today’s world, strong mentor-mentee relationships have become increasingly rare.
When we invert Aristotle’s formula for happiness, we find the root causes of our collective unhappiness:
- A lack of mentorship and guidance
- Poor habits formed in the absence of discipline
- Excess and indulgence replacing moderation
- Rampant hypersensitivity rather than resilience
- A loss of moral grounding and sense of justice
- Struggles with forming and maintaining friendships
- Apathy toward civic engagement and community
Of all these, the absence of mentorship stands out as the foundational issue. Without guidance, young people are left to navigate life’s complexities alone, often falling into destructive habits.
In earlier generations, mentorship was woven into the fabric of society—through family, community leaders, apprenticeships, and even religious or philosophical instruction. Today, social media and fleeting digital interactions have replaced these deep, formative relationships.
## Reclaiming Happiness Through Mentorship
To restore a sense of meaning and fulfillment, we must prioritize mentorship in our personal and professional lives. Parents, teachers, and leaders must recognize their responsibility to guide the next generation, not just with knowledge, but with wisdom. Seeking out mentors—and becoming one ourselves—can foster resilience, character, and purpose.
Happiness is not simply a product of material success or personal freedom; it is cultivated through relationships, values, and the pursuit of excellence. If we wish to see a happier generation, we must first rebuild the lost art of mentorship.
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