Everyone is entitled to their pursuit of happiness and every act we make whether consciously or unconsciously, is meant by us to affect us in a positive way. Why would we go out and do something that would affect us negatively knowingly? Well, some would, after reading this article simply to prove me wrong, but wouldn't that be an act to make yourself feel better about proving me wrong?.
But what of the decisions made when we are thinking of others welfare? For an example, we will take a boyfriendgirlfriend couple named James and Sue. James wants to hang out with his guy friends tonight and watch football. Sue, however wants him to go out with her to eat. James knows that doing what Sue wants to do will make her happy. But he wants to stay with his friends. He has to come to a decision that will make him happiest. If he stays with his friends, he will be temporarily happy, however he may not be happy later if he loses his girlfriend over the ordeal. So he decides to go out with Sue, even though he would rather be home watching the game because he knows that going out with Sue will bring more happiness later. On the flip side of the situation, James is getting tired of his girlfriend, so decides to watch the game, and doesn't worry about making Sue happy, because she won't affect his happiness in the future. In every situation, you do what would be most beneficial to you, even if it seems that you are doing it for someone else's happiness. .
Some would say that an act of suicide would be an act that would affect us negatively, but have you ever killed yourself? Didn't think so. The person that commits suicide sees death as an escape, they believe they would be happier dead than be in the situation they are in. And who can argue with that? In their mind, death is a positive thing, not a negative one. No one else in the world might think that it is a good thing, but when you are talking about your own happiness, who is the expert? The person judging your act, or you? When it comes down to your happiness, no one else can know what would be best for you in your particular section of life you are in.