1. Have you ever wondered why we find ourselves obliged to do things? Indeed, I sometimes wonder why I must do anything at all. Do I sound like a lazy fellow? I hope not. What I am asking is, Why must I scribble away so many mornings? What makes indolent days appear so unappealing? Granted a day off now and then for diversion, of course. But generally inactivity can be downright miserable, I am sure you would agree. Who can forget the indolent afternoons of youthful summers with their dragging ennui?

I do not deny, of course, that many people seem to pass their lives in near-total listlessness. At least, they are said to pass their personal lives in a quiet lethargy of one sort or another. These individuals stereotypically spend their time in front of a television set, drinking beer and watching sports or sitcoms. But I must ask, Are these souls as contentedly uninspired as they are reported to be? I wonder if their apathy might not be a manifestation of an inarticulate misery.

If we do feel obliged to do something, we may also find ourselves inclined to think that our obligations will detract from and even curtail our happiness. Nay, we may think that our moral obligations especially might constrain and constrict happiness almost to the point of denial. We are thus quite likely to feel a distinct conflict between our morality and our felicity and to question all over again our obligations.