What do women want? Conversely, what do men want? These questions have been asked since the beginning of human existence. A general answer such as, “they only want to have fun”, is misleading since there are conflicting views on what people think are good for them. There is a common goal that connects the various goods we seek that we give the word “happiness”. The goal of governing is to help people pursue happiness. When promises for happiness have been broken, people fight with each other politically. Yet we need to work with each other in order to maintain an environment where people can pursue their passions and live a good life.

The subject of what is good for people can only be addressed in broad terms. It isn’t like math where answers are precise. A person who is well informed knows the difference when generalities or specifics are being addressed. When we say a conversation has digressed, it means that someone has gone off the general subject and made it into one about a certain situation that is important to them but may be only a small part of the actual discussion. Discretion is needed when discussing politics.

It is also important to be mature. An immature person makes assumptions based on notions rather than experience. It is easier to discuss behavioral things among people who have learned from life experiences since there are fewer foolish notions to address. The distance needed to travel to get somewhere with substance is much shorter. Having said this, lets proceed further into the subject of pursuing happiness.

There are three ways that happiness is pursued. Having fun is the pursuit of things that bring pleasure, but it cannot be the only thing our happiness is based in. It isn’t possible for everything to be fun. Our relationships are also an important part of happiness. Friends and family play a major role in our happiness. Yet we need our independence. Third is our peace of mind since it is hard to enjoy life full of anxiety and conflict. But sitting around thinking all the time isn’t much fun or sociable. We see that it takes an application of all three areas and some more than others depending on the person.