e, be totally devoted to our marriage because of genuine feelings. Granted I would not know if she were being deceitful, marrying me and carrying on the marriage only to spend my money, but the fact is, the great experiences I would be having with her as my "false-wife" would be imaginary, with one actor and one actual person. I could say that I was happy in the experiences I have with my wife but can in no way assign a general definition of Happiness to such an equation. The Desire theory is even less persuasive. I find it hard to believe that a person, who constantly bangs his head against the wall because he has a desire to do so, is living a good life. Furthermore, I cannot equate trivial desires such as picking up a dropped book with ones of a much grander scale like running for public office or becoming a doctor. I would clearly be more happy if I were able to win a public office, than be able to pick up a book, because the former is on a larger scale. The Substantive Goods theory is consistent with my beliefs. One's life does go well if he devotes his time to the pursuit of worthwhile things. I am better off writing a novel than taking drugs to get different sensations. Also, I could validly see myself as in a state of Happiness even if I toiled my whole life and my desires never cam to fruition, as long as my pursuits were substantive. Working my whole life writing the best piece of music of all time would not be devalued just because I mever finished it; the first part of the composition, which I toiled my whole life for, still exists and is of value notwithstanding my inability to complete it. ...
