Question

The desire theory tells us that our lives go better so long as we get what we want--no matter what we want. Can you think of examples where this isn't so?

Answer 1

My response to this question can be summarised by a single quote by Jim Carrey:

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.”

Seeking fulfilment of one’s desires is a hedonistic form of existence - it is solely centered around the self and is removed from the needs of others. I am inclined to believe that human beings have a striving for higher needs, over and above one’s banal desires. I quoted Jim Carrey because I can think of so many rich and famous people, who despite having enough resources to have their “desires” met ended up for the worse - into a cycle of addiction or even suicide. Take for instance Chester Bennington, who recently took his own life. If fulfilment of desires was all it took to be happy, then why would this be?