Ethics Summary

Julian Baggini’s extract from �What’s it all about’ explores the precarious nature of the elusive state of happiness, and the pursuit of it. Baggini contends that ultimately, as humans it is natural, and acceptable to desire happiness. Yet we must ensure that the pursuit of happiness does not become a dominating force in our lives, because it will ultimately be at the detriment to the very thing we are seeking, happiness. As C. Snow revealed, �if you pursue happiness, you’ll never find it.’

The author presents possible alternative ways in which happiness may be attained, maybe it should not be sought directly, perhaps instead we should attempt to resolve what is unjust in the world, adopt a policy of �do no harm’ and try to live a virtuous life and happiness will naturally follow.

Baggini reveals the desire individuals have to acquire happiness is not supreme, we still aspire to achieve it through authentic means, scenarios like Aldous Huxley’s Brave New world with its citizens drugged into a state of euphoria, or Nozick’s concept of a thought machine, simulating an idyllic existence, are abhorrent to most. This reveals that we don’t place happiness above our desire to live an authentic, truthful