As a matter of neurology and psychology, there appear to be two kinds of happiness - achievement and flow. Achievement is self-explanatory; it occurs when you got that job, won that case, climbed that summit. Flow occurs whenever you enjoy an activity that engages you, like doing a sport you enjoy, dancing, performing at your peak. Sex involves both flow and achievement.

Achievement is generally seen by many as the 'bad' type, and flow as the 'good' type. This is because achievement can be reached quickly through money and instant gratification. The idea that once you have that car, that chocolate bar, that job, that next whichever, you will be complete, fulfilled, happy. This effect however fades quickly. There is something to that. Personally I think both are important. Robinson's work may be meaningful, providing him with flow, but he always fights the system, and never, in any grander sense, defeats it. He may win every battle, but will lose the war because he cannot change the system. This may be the reason why he's unhappy.

Moreover remember that everyone is selfish, and everyone wants to be happy. If someone gives to the poor, he does so to feel better about himself, to make that feeling of guilt and empathy go away. This makes him happy. Some people are happy with being miserable - being miserable provides them with attention (granting happiness) and/or reasons why they cannot change their environment or themselves, which they see as too difficult - a difficulty which would provide more unhappiness than the alternative. Note that they don't have to be right about this - change can be cathartic - it only matters that they think that this difficulty would create unhappiness. Everyone is his or her own utilitarian.

Finally, I remember some Greek person state that happiness is 'The exercise of vital powers along lines of excellence in a life affording scope'. Again, this is all flow - work which is meaningful, autonomous, by choice and has incentives to strive for excellence. This seems like what Professor Moglen was going for - a life providing you with flow happiness.

-- TheodorBruening - 25 Feb 2009