Passing judgement on someone for the differences found in comparison with oneself may be rational and even a compulsion from the standpoint of instinct. It is a mechanism to understand who is “us” and who is “them”. The result would elicit a sense of separation between one from another, and in doing so it is not surprising that the factions would act as if the opposition is no longer human, or at least, not as humans with rights as equal as to them. Those in the opposite group are therefore in a real and sincere danger for it is the equality of being human that binds together a group of any form. It is the quality of inferiority that leads to the domination over the other justified. Whether it is slavery, slander, famine or death avenged onto them, for us it would become just a part of everyday life, just as it would be normal to call anybody you deem equal to you as your brother. This form of dehumanisation of the other and this new found irrelevance of the opposite would now become just another part of reality, just as it would be to welcome those who share this same belief as if they were your own family.

It is therefore a different and perhaps a revolutionary point of view for many to consider the appointed “others” as equal, in a human sense, regardless of their attribution. Our mind and our individual capacity, our hearts and the hurt incurred, puts one another in different modes and categories of mental being. It is important to understand that this elemental way of how we are built pertains to every human being. What makes a person different is rightly the case, but it is important to see that it does not take away their nature of being human, something which judgement slurs, discolours and takes away, causing a fundamental rift in how consideration plays between two individuals. Judgement dehumanises anyone being judged. It turns the other into an object, and thus justify any action otherwise deemed immoral.

If judgement is taken aside, the opposing others would become human again, and this can be done by seeing the inequality that causes the separation for what it is and as something to accept. The goal is not in finding and declaring the truth of the world on what is right and what is wrong, but to find the differences and justify their existence to their own merit. The scope is no longer in the truth of inequality, of who is the “us” and “them”, but in the acceptance and the union of each of our natures and what makes us equal and unequal. 

Such differences can lead one another to understand what we may be lacking or what can be adjusted by listening to the other on what they have to say. We may well be lost in our own perception of the world and in our own routine of thought that we could potentially be losing the bigger picture, as if being in a form of denial that is hidden from our awareness. Thus these opposing points of views can nourish the other when taken with an open mind while being open to change. Whether it is between two groups or singular relationships, or even with oneself, to change one needs to be able to have a deep respect for the facts, be open to the possibility of challenging one’s own beliefs and adjusting one’s points of views with what reality has been presented to us.

In the end it is in our differences that makes each individual who they are. It is in our differences that unites us as being human. We may be different in our capacity and capability, but it does not take away our right to find and play their role in a society that calls forth to express our gifts and abilities. It is while we are united in our differences that we stand, and seeing our differences puts us a degree closer to the fundamental truth of the necessity of the diversification needed in a healthy human society.

If we divide each other by being judgemental then we would fail in acknowledging the entirety of the truth of being human. Yet if the differences of one another are seen as a means that leads to a stronger society or a healthier personal relationship, then its acceptance will bring forth a union of the diversity and the complementary of opposites.

“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.”

Viktor E. Frankl

One does not pursue happiness but instead chooses a meaning, a purpose, a reason, and then happiness would, or could, follow. This means that the world is firstly given a form of structure and a discernable sense of being by going forth towards a given direction. Without this goal and vessel to travel with, with no port set in mind to sail to and no ship to carry you, then no wind or direction is favourable, and no amount of it is worthy, for there is neither motivation nor purpose to guide you along the way. One does not know how close one is to the goal since there is no goal set in the first place. You would only be like a leaf blown in the winds of the world, a vagabond in the forest of life without shelter from the doubts and no destination to venture through.

Such a confused state of life and untapped potential leads one to feel lost and think of no positive traits which would have otherwise given mobility and a personal cause. One such form of mobility is in having a job and one that suits you, one thing which Jordan Peaterson stresses that would have a psychologically positive effect, and have a concrete sense of direction. Every day one’s efforts are of a psychological benefit as well, something to wake up to,, a means for living that is aligned to one’s choices and abilities that self-actualises one’s existence.

Perhaps it is good to note how philosophy, psychology and biology overlap one another with how one can reason through the tumultuous waves of making sense of the otherwise chaotic reality. It is the human conundrum on what to do in this world, as the world is chaos unless an understanding is in place, and if one does not have one in place then it is no surprise that there is no structure or meaning.

There is also a theory named the “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” which can be used to prioritise the facets of one’s life so as to find the right balance and to target the right goals to base one’s life on. Psychology also introduces concepts such as trauma and complexes, which are instilled in an individual and can direct their behaviour beyond their conscious awareness. These would also need to be addressed as otherwise they would interfere with the general outlook on life and the performance at work. Issues such as those of trust and people pleasing can most probably interfere with performance and teamwork, hence whichever job you employ yourself to, then the time spent will be of no use, regardless of whether the employment would have fit your frame of innate characteristics.

Biologically one can assess what could be missing from oneself, both in a physical and chemical sense. Is one having enough time for physical training? Is one in a good clean environment without toxins and is well nourished? Does one have a place to sleep? And on a psychiatric note, is one’s physical chemistry in the right balance or does one need some form of medication or exercise and a diet regime to prepare oneself so as to be able to be at one’s best?

Philosophy ventures to question the obvious so as to find a new niche, so to speak, of thought and meaning. This would be helpful to challenge one’s outlook on life and do the needed changes when the obvious is given ulterior points of views, or even a rational review to balance the otherwise set in stone beliefs. This intertwines with the psychological work needed on oneself, where one could try to justify one’s beliefs or make amends on one’s outlook on life, yet psychologically one could have beliefs that prevents this from gaining its full fruition.

There is also the facet of spirituality, which is one of the aspects tackled in analytical psychology. It takes onboard the concepts put forward originally by Carl Jung, ideas that focus on integrating with the consciousness the undiscovered and unowned facets of the individual. This is done to lead the patient towards the path of individuation by promoting the completeness of the self, rather than its suppression or to have in us an induced state of self-conflict. This work would lead to the understanding and employment of one’s own innate skills that would help to find purpose where one’s abilities are used to their full extent.

On a religious note, one can have faith that the path would yield positive results, for the journey of self discovery is not easy and at times one is put in places where not even God would seem to be present, only for the fire within to help one to rise again and realise that the descent into such darkness was just a test to empower the self rather than the end.

Thus we can understand that the road towards happiness is not to automatically switch to its experience but to pursue a meaning or the search for it. It involves getting into terms with ourselves and finding peace and a place in the world, a meaning from which happiness can flow from, a meaning that can stay with us as we endure the reality of the world that we live in.