> “ I admire anyone who can endure what he has endured and lead not only a productive and reasonably happy life, but one that is more productive and happy than most lives.”
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Where did you get the idea that Hawking is in any way happy?
He is a combative, and agressive man, that seeks to dismiss all of the basic elements of happiness and stability.
I think it is a reasonable assumption that Hawking must get some reward out of life or he would have given up and died. His condition is something very few could endure for as long as he has without something driving him to push on. Even if he is not happy, he is still a remarkable man to keep going like he has when so many have everything anybody could want and still kill themselves. I believe that his will to live against all odds is rooted in a subconcious belief in God and he just cannot admit it to himself because his self image is that of an elitist academic who is above such silly notions.
Pride is the tallest hurdle back to God.