Sure, but as Thomas Kuhn states (I only read the first chapter or so), there are critical levels whereby breakthroughs occur. It's also in Gleick's Chaos, IIRC.
What matters is that compassion becomes even slightly more operant in the ideals, attitudes, and behaviors of a population. That will decrease strife and increase happiness via the selfless service to others' happiness that true compassion entails.
We are social beings, and the effects on even the most unthinking, inertia-based folks would yield positive results, even if it's simply due to their just wanting to fit in. Still better, though, is when they have a real breakthrough and realize how a compassionate, service-oriented life actually makes them happier.
The source of happiness operates at the most sublime level of the universe -- the human-only level -- where the karmic effects due to our treatment of others are dominant. Yes, we need Maslow's needs to be met and all that, but once we reach a relatively pain-free state, karma rules (though pain can have its own karmic source, which can be either beneficial or punitive).
What matters is that compassion becomes even slightly more operant in the ideals, attitudes, and behaviors of a population. That will decrease strife and increase happiness via the selfless service to others' happiness that true compassion entails.
We are social beings, and the effects on even the most unthinking, inertia-based folks would yield positive results, even if it's simply due to their just wanting to fit in. Still better, though, is when they have a real breakthrough and realize how a compassionate, service-oriented life actually makes them happier.
The source of happiness operates at the most sublime level of the universe -- the human-only level -- where the karmic effects due to our treatment of others are dominant. Yes, we need Maslow's needs to be met and all that, but once we reach a relatively pain-free state, karma rules (though pain can have its own karmic source, which can be either beneficial or punitive).