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by PAM
"There can be an imperfect happiness (felicitas) attainable in this lifetime, in proportion to the exercise of Reason (contemplation of Truth) and the exercise of virtue."
- St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Contra Gentiles (paraphrased)
I've always believed that, if we were motivated by the right outcome in what we do, life is itself 'the pursuit of happiness', or more correctly, the pursuit of perfect happiness.
In his book Summa Theologiae, I gathered that St.Thomas Aquinas defined 'perfect happiness', or beatitudo, as that mystical vision of God, which can only be possible in the afterlife. It is in consonance with the belief of St. Augustine who said, "our heart is restless, until it rests in you," in his adoration of God. Unlike St. Augustine, however, St. Thomas Aquinas believed that we can still achieve 'imperfect happiness', or felicitas, in our lifetime. This can be achieved in contemplation of the truth. And the happiness we
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| St. Thomas Aquinas Source: Encyclopedia Britannica |
Therefore, our own rationalization of our actions, in which we exercise our mental faculty in aligning our actions with the contemplated truth, can help us achieve felicitas. That imperfect happiness that we feel in all that we do can give peace of mind and joy. This enables us to realize the truth more clearly in our continued contemplation, helping us to see with clarity the higher purpose of the life we live. The more often we exercise contemplation, the sharper our vision becomes, and we become more receptive, too, to God's revelation of the truth - in answering our prayers.
This is why, in our workplaces, shared vision is very important. When everyone understands the leadership's vision, and it is clear to everyone how the actions that our Institution or Organization are pursuing are in harmony with the vision through clear rationalization, then it is easy for everyone to happily play his or her role. Note that playing one's role though involves personal contemplation, and therefore, putting one's mental faculty to use, and acting accordingly. When one is deprived of actualizing his or her own natural faculties in playing his/her role accordingly, and is forced to merely follow instruction without contemplation, then felicitas cannot be achieved. I imagine that this is why there are many people who are unhappy in their workplaces, or who become unhappy when new leadership comes to be, and new policies are crafted and implemented without mutual respect and without regard to everyone's natural right to actualize natural faculties.
In view of the above, I imagine, too, how it is impossible to be happy in a country ruled by a dictator, especially if that country knows what democracy is and has thrived in democratic environment before where actualization of natural faculties is supported, and in fact, encouraged.
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