There are two distinct classes of positive emotions
concerned with the present:
Momentary pleasures
The pleasures include both bodily pleasures and higher
pleasures. Bodily pleasures come through the senses. Feelings that come from
sex, beautiful perfumes and delicious flavours fall into this
category. Higher pleasures come from more complex activities and include feelings such as bliss, glee, comfort, ecstasy and ebullience.
More enduring gratifications
Gratifications differ from pleasures in that they involve states of absorption or flow that come from engagement in
activities. Sailing, teaching and helping others are examples of such activities.
bliss - perfect happiness
glee - happiness, excitement
ebullience - being very energetic, positive and happy
This blog post was created based on the book of Alan Carr called Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness and Human Strengths.
