An End In Itself

[Dglgmut]

Instead of thinking in terms of a summun bonum, i.e., a supreme good, such as happiness, to which all of our actions are (or should be) directed, Adler recommended thinking in terms of a totum bonum, i.e., a totality of goods which, considered together, comprise a good life. A concern for children and other people would constitute part of this totality.

This comes down to one's definition of happiness, or lack thereof. Consciously turning the abstract of one's desires into something more concrete is necessary to deliberately pursue happiness. This way you know when a "whim" needs to be rejected because it contradicts your definition of more long-term happiness.

The feeling, the emotion, happiness, that's the only thing worth experiencing in life simply for the sake of it. The reason we any experience is good or not depends entirely on whether or not it makes us happy... To not make that feeling the end in itself seems to ignore what life is...

Putting happiness above everything else does not imply avoiding reason, it means using reason primarily to define and pursue happiness.

Like fear is tied to unhappiness, love is connected to happiness. The people who would rather take risks than be bored are driven by love, where people who only want comfort are driven by fear.