Final answer:
Being similar to God, who is considered to be all-good, all-powerful, and all-knowing, theoretically could make a person happier, as they align with qualities that are associated with fulfillment and happiness. Cognitive and motivational processes suggest that aiming for such positive attributes may lead to improved well-being. The attributes of God and their connection with human happiness ties into broader religious and philosophical discussions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that the more a person is like God, the happier he or she is, can be examined from various angles including psychology, philosophy, and religious teachings. This assertion fits within the domain of religious and philosophical discussions around the attributes of God and human well-being. If God is considered to embody characteristics of absolute goodness (omnibenevolence), absolute power (omnipotence), and absolute knowledge (omniscience), then it can be argued that aligning oneself with these qualities could result in a greater sense of fulfillment and happiness.
From the perspective of cognitive and motivational processes highlighted by Lyubomirsky (2001), people who strive to align themselves with positive attributes, such as those attributed to God, may experience enhanced well-being. Furthermore, the religious concept of karma and samsara suggests a cosmological relationship between one's actions and their consequences, implying that actions aligned with divine goodness might result in positive outcomes and happiness. This view is encapsulated by various religious narratives that suggest happiness is derived from being in harmony with such an ultimate reality or divine, and by philosophical arguments like those articulated in Pascal's Wager.
Finally, the idea of anthropomorphism, the tendency to attribute human-like qualities to non-human entities, may suggest why we inherently associate human definitions of happiness with divine characteristics, making the divine ideal an aspirational target for human behavior and well-being.