I think I agree with you. But don’t you have some control over your desires?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
More importantly, sometimes you don’t want to.
Imagine that all you want is status. Literally, your sole desire is to increase your status. Would it be rational to change that desire?
Well, will changing that desire help you win? Will it help you achieve your desires?… Will it help you increase your status?
Probably not.
However, you do have a point. If you desire primarily to be content in your life, but also desire to increase your status, you might be better off to get rid of the second desire, and just be content. Your primary desire might over-rule your secondary desire.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
More importantly, sometimes you don’t want to.
Imagine that all you want is status. Literally, your sole desire is to increase your status. Would it be rational to change that desire?
Well, will changing that desire help you win? Will it help you achieve your desires?… Will it help you increase your status?
Probably not.
However, you do have a point. If you desire primarily to be content in your life, but also desire to increase your status, you might be better off to get rid of the second desire, and just be content. Your primary desire might over-rule your secondary desire.