Happiness vs Satisfaction

MD JAWED AKBAR

Happiness and Satisfaction are two words in the English language that seem to have similar connotation but they are actually used to describe different states.

The word happiness is used to describe the state of bliss in the heart or the mind. Satisfaction is used to describe the state of contentment. Whether happiness is the same as contentment is still a subject of debate.

In a way happiness lies in contentment and hence satisfaction and happiness are very closely related. It is no hyperbole that satisfaction brings happiness. It is equally no hyperbole that happiness is caused by satisfaction.

Both these words differ when a person does not feel happy when he possesses something which he needed as the basic want. He would aspire or desire for something more and this results in the loss of happiness when he fails to get what he needed more. This also results in the lack of satisfaction. Hence some thinkers say that loss of satisfaction does not bring about happiness in the mind of an individual.

It is true that both are in a way the two states of the mind. Satisfaction is enjoyed within whereas happiness is enjoyed with somebody else. If you are happy then you tend to enjoy the experience with others. On the other hand if you are satisfied you tend to enjoy the experience well within yourself. This is one of the main differences between happiness and satisfaction.

Happiness can be measured whereas satisfaction cannot be measured. In other words you can say that happiness pertains to the mortal experience whereas satisfaction pertains to the unworldly experience. If happiness also becomes unworldly then you would become one with the Almighty. This is the basis tenet of the philosophy of monism. In several instances the words happiness and satisfaction are interchanged.

Happiness and Satisfaction are two states of the mind. Happiness is the state of bliss in the heart or the mind. Satisfaction is the state of contentment. Satisfaction is enjoyed within whereas happiness is shared with others.