Politics

Politics, or the art and science of people living together, has one ultimate purpose: maximization of individual happiness among the citizens. Putting it another way, if all citizens are happy, what more could you want to achieve? By happiness, I don't mean short term pleasure, but true happiness in the sense of fulfillment of a life well lived. It is pleasure of the soul and spirit as well as of the body. It really makes no difference if those who bestow this upon the citizenry are elected or otherwise arise to power as long as the goal is achieved and maintained.

We are lucky to live in an age when science has begun to unlock the secrets of happiness, the internal workings of the brain that lead to the perception of being happy. fMRI and other techniques have begun to unlock the mysteries that lead to true happiness. Unfortunately, no short cuts have been found. As is always true, science will serve politics and not the other way around. But science can help those who write, pass and enforce laws to design a system that expands happiness.

Laws, rules and regulations that reduce happiness must somehow be wrong, even if the intent is good. Extreme taxation may be of good intent, but as it decreases the happiness of the rich and doesn't increase the happiness of the poor, it must be wrong. Similarly, helping the needy but not empowering them to help themselves may seem noble, but is certainly wrong. Asking for assistance but not planning to carry your own weight is as problematic as taking from those who are weaker than you. Neither leads to happiness.

In the past, philosophers have expressed doubt as to the absolute nature of happiness, stating that it all was a matter of opinion. Science seems to be on the edge of disproving this theory, with happiness being a universal response to specific circumstances. It is not about having extreme wealth, beauty, intelligence or fortune. A society that seeks to equalize wealth misses the point. A society that teaches respect as a basic right as opposed to an earned privilege misses the point. We are all capable of being happy, of realizing our potentials.

Politicians need to maintain focus on their mission, and we will honor them.