Comment Health isn't the primary goal (Score 1) 127
I don't think a healthy life, in and of itself, is all that laudable a goal. I'm reminded of The Witches of Eastwick... "When I die, I want to be sick. Not healthy." The question is, who benefits from the extended lifespan? Because it came at a cost. Opportunity cost... but a cost nonetheless.
You're assuming that having a healthy life is the primary goal, but it's not. It's secondary.
A healthy life is one of several secondary goals that you have in order to achieve your primary goals, whatever they may be.
For example, having a family/children is the goal of many people. Do you want to see your grandkids grow up? Have a healthy life.
Having enough money for retirement so you can travel (or just have fun) is another goal many people have. Want to enjoy your retirement? Have a healthy life.
Goals go hand-in-hand with motivations, and one way to increase your motivation for doing something is to identify how it contributes to one of your life goals.
So for example, that college course you're taking to get your MBA - are you doing that just for something to do, or does it contribute to where you want to be in 10 years?
It turns out that doing something "just for money" is not, by itself, a motivational goal. Doing something "for the money" that you will need to eventually start your own business, though... that's a motivational goal.
So no, living a healthy miserable life doesn't make much sense if being healthy is the goal.
Living a healthy miserable life *does* make sense if it lets you see your grandkids grow up.