Filosofia della gioia

A cure for present melancholy.

Being a long way from what we wish for makes us sad. Sadness could, indeed, be described as the experience of feeling somewhat alien to ourselves, either because of our issues or because of external circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is linked to fulfilment, to capitalising on a talent. This is illustrated by examples of characters and individuals in philosophy, literature, dance, art and the Bible. This essay offers a phenomenology of both emotions and reaches the conclusion that only joy can resist sadness because it fights against all weakening of life and passion for life; against all the powers that can separate us from our own power and our own talent. It is therefore a positive thought to help us come to terms with our times.