The dichotomy implies that we are choosing between ignorance, or absence of knowledge, and sadness or despair, an absence of happiness. It's not a choice we really ever need to make except in movies.

The problem is, with knowledge comes happiness and unhappiness. I am specifically referring to the knowledge of oneself. As you learn, grow, and wake up, so to speak, I think you go through periods of depression followed by euphoria.

knowledge, because happiness is ellusive and transitory. If this is reframed as Matrix's red pill blue pill question, I choose the red pill

Hard call, but I'm not much use dead, so there you go!

Happiness
Too much knowledge and awareness can make it difficult to be happy. I know if l wasn't watching the news daily at this time in our nation l would feel better. Years ago l took about a years sabbatical from the news and l was definitely more content.

I've voted, but the more I think about it, the more I think it's a very trickier questions.
I answered Knowledge. Not that I don't want to be happy, but because I love to learn and that makes me happy. So basically, one would lead to the other.
Furthermore, I wouldn't ever willingly choose to be ignorant even if it meant being happy.
I think that in some cases ignorance may very well be bliss, but I don't think that shouldn't be a life goal.
Maybe that's just me...

I’m rather amazed and disappointed by the ansswers here. Really? Happiness without knowledge is actually selfish and dangerous. Those who are knowledgeable are, generally, only made unhappy by those who are not.

I'm not sure you can have both. Knowledge brings with it 'awareness' and knocks down our superstitions and tears up our comfort blankets. Knowledge by its very nature seems to bring a certain amount of discomfort...

With knowledge comes balance. You’re not always happy but you know how to correct that.

It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, is of a different opinion, it is because they only know their own side of the question.

– John Stuart Mill

Knowledge. I can do more lasting good by applying my knowledge than I can by reveling in happiness.

not that we get to choose but why not be happy ?

I am smart, and I've been happy. That being said, I'd choose happiness without hesitation.

Happiness, cos knowledge has never made me happy

Knowledge...definitely....but it would have to be knowledge that isn't commonly known (and something that I can't Google). For example, I would trade happiness to know for sure if there is life that does not originate on planet Earth and if any of those aliens have visited and are still visiting us and how they have affected/changed the course of human history. I might even require, in exchange for my happiness, that I get to meet them and travel to their homes. Ironically, that type of knowledge would make me incredibly happy....so, win/win.

Knowledge without happieness sounds like hell.

I understand the question but I can't envision a world that with knowledge I could not attain happiness. The other way around I see every day.

Happiness. WIthout it, knowledge is meaningless.

I chose knowledge because if I'm smart enough then I'll know how to achieve happiness