I'm sure there are plenty of perfectly happy assholes out there.
As a corollary, the happier the assholes are, the better person/more agreeable they would be, and I have found that statement to be true.
What if doing hurtful things makes them happy?
Also, all happiness may equal better but not all minimalism equals happiness.
And, most of all, being happy does not mean you are a better person. What if hurting kittens makes you happy?
I agree
"And, most of all, being happy does not mean you are a better person. What if hurting kittens makes you happy?"
Well you're right, but extreme outliers about kitten hurting aside... If something makes you happier, less worrisome, less irritable, and have less liabilities, (like the author is saying being minimalist does for him), then yes he's a better person than if he wasn't minimalist.
I assume the author was targeting the average person in regards to the "better person" comment, in which case a happier person does make a better person. Their confidence is improved, and thus they tend to be nicer to others. No need for an evil clause.
"A minimalist lifestyle does not make you a better person. But it may make you happier."
I would argue that if you're a happier person, you are a better person. So if a minimalist lifestyle makes you happier, a minimalist lifestyle makes you better.
Seems like an odd article to me.
EDIT: Seems like I'm getting flack for about "what if the person is evil but happy, are they a better person?..."
Apologies for not explaining my argument well the first time. The author argues that being minimalist makes him happier, less worrisome, less irritable, and have less liabilities, but not a better person. If being minimalist makes you all those things, then I think it does make you a better person than if you weren't minimalist.