The Cure for Discontent?

During our symposium on Monday, we talked about whether it would be morally right to give everyone a pill to make them happy. Although this seems like a good idea on the surface, once you look at it a little closer, you see the consequences of doing this. Not only is it morally wrong if you do not tell citizens about it, I also believe that someone who would do this is failing to see people as people. Rather than seeing them as individuals, they see them as means to gain the "perfect society," one where everyone is happy and content to live the life they have. Because people would be content with what they have, and not be greedy or jealous, some of the problems that society faces today, such as crime, could be greatly reduced. However, if people are content with what they have, will they also lose their passion and drive to succeed? Who is going to be inspired and driven enough to go through the demands of medical school to become a doctor? Or work carefully to build their small business into a successful company? Or invent a new product that would make life easier? Would people even have the drive to get an education and work at all, or would they be content with living in poverty, just doing enough to get by? If the world was on a "happy pill," many of the great discoveries and inventions that have been made throughout history, and are continually being made, would not have occurred. People would be ok with living their lives as they are, and would see no need for improvement. However, it is the discontent, the dissatisfaction with the status quo, that fuels the advancement in all aspects of our lives.