Are we happier than our ancestors

A person like Thoreau, the American writer, may say that we are unhappy because our life is complicated. So he would conclude that our ancestors were happier. In fact Thoreau wanted that life should be very simple. There should be. No newspapers, no letters, no furniture and nor other things which make human beings to think of getting more and more. None can deny that our life has become more complicated and in this respect. Our ancestors were happier.

There is great activity today. Modem man is like frightened sheep running here and there. We are running a hundred-metro race. Consequently we do not enjoy spiritual peace. Love of money has killed our finer emotions. We consider others as cogs in the machines. We use them of our personal profit. Similarly our attitude has become mechanical. Our ambitions are very high. So we remain dissatisfied with ourselves. Modem man thinks of crossing even those limitations which earthly life puts upon them. He is thinking of becoming a guide. He has lost faith in religion and moral values. As a result of it modem man is unhappy and frustrated. He doesn't enjoy spiritual peace.  

This is only one side of the picture. Modern man has more comforts of life. He can fly like birds and swim like fish. He can land upon the moon and know much about the Mars. He has knowledge that gives him satisfaction. In this manner he hopes to know the motives and desires of others. Modem man enjoys all types of material possessions. Life has become longer. Diseases can be controlled; hearts can be transplanted and limbs can be kept in a working order. Modern man has access to all types of knowledge. He can plan properly and execute it properly. In this manner, he enjoys all of those benefit which our ancestors could never dream to enjoy

By comparing the two sides of the picture we come to the conclusion that our ancestors were happier. Their wants were limited and they were self-satisfied. They were religious in their view and quite well informed about the purpose of human life upon earth. Our ancestors had nothing to fear. Wars were not so horrible in those days. Thus our immediate ancestors were decidedly happier than the modern man.