Happiness - Synthesis Essay

The most universal goal every human has in common is the pursuit of happiness or “creation or construction of happiness” (Achor, 78). To be able to fulfill this wish of becoming happy, people often think the key to achieving happiness is success. In the book, The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor, he debunks this theory of success leading to happiness by illustrating the reverse theory of success. Through dozens of studies and experiments as forms of evidence, the author argues that an individual needs to achieve happiness in order to be truly successful. Achor 's argument is valid in that happiness should come before success because there is a clear advantage to being successful in an individual’s work life, personal sphere, and liveliness if they are happy first and foremost.

"A library of wisdom, is more precious than all wealth, and all things that are desirable cannot be compared to it." -- Plato

People travel through life with what seems like a single goal: to be happy. This may seem like a selfish way to live, however this lone objective is the motivation behind nearly all actions. Even seemingly selfless deeds make people feel better about themselves. That warm feeling experienced while doing charitable acts can be described as happiness. But what is authentic happiness? There is an endless possibility of answers to this question, and man seems to be always searching for the solution. Although one may reach his or her goals, there is always still something one strives for in order to be happy. In the book Stumbling on Happiness, Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert takes the reader through

According to him, gratification is a key for people to have a good life. However, Seligman explains, “[g]ratification dispels self-absorption, and the more one has the flow that gratification produces, the less depressed one is” (119). Although it is clear that people need gratification more than pleasures, he points out that “[t]o start the process of eschewing easy pleasures and engaging in more gratifications is hard” (119). This difficulty of attaining gratification might make people to choose pleasure rather than gratification. Thus, according to Seligman’s definitions of happiness, it is easier for humans to seek pleasure rather than to seek gratification.

Happiness: a Human Disease -- An Examination of the Allegorical Theme of Existentialism in the Happy Man

The story of the movie The Pursuit of Happyness directed by Gabriele Muccino portrays a family who struggles with finding enough money to pay taxes and afford living expenses. The movie takes a place in San Francisco during the 80s. The two main characters are the father Chris Gardner and his son Christopher, Will Smith and Jaden Smith respectively. Gardner tries to support his family. But every time he attempts to make things better, they always end up worse. Gardner in the story wonders on "how to be happy?" He earns his money by selling the bone density

Success is extremely coveted in the society, however on the path to success, obstacles will stand in the way. Failure is inevitable and the response of an individual towards these obstacles and the failures in their lives determines whether or not they will have success. Failure gives allowance to learn from mistakes and motivates to do better the next time. The Pursuit of Happyness uses lighting, music and camera angles to give viewers an insight into Chris’ journey through the film demonstrating his resiliency, optimism and loving personality. Filmmaker, Gabriele Muccino, uses the protagonist, Chris’ final triumph to illustrate the significance of failure in achieving success.

I’m not happy. It’s shouted from toddlers’ mouths, complained from high schoolers jaws, and mumbled through the lips of a nine-to-fivers. There isn’t a magic pill to make these people happy, but that doesn’t mean it's not possible. Creating a life of happiness can be done through a mix of science, engagement, and a drive to achieve the goal of lifetime happiness.

“Happiness is important, but is not everything, well-being and virtue are also important, and unhappiness also has its place,” (4). According to Haybron, happiness is a combination of both pleasure and life satisfaction and is most of what matters, but well-being is more important in what makes a life worth living. If happiness was equal to pleasure, then happiness could be comparable to giddiness or moments of great elation. If it were equal to life satisfaction, then happiness could be comparable to the sensation felt when you land a new job, or are surrounded by family. Life satisfaction is determined by your personal attitude towards life at a given time, but should not be a reliable metric in tracking happiness. Haybron writes, “we are interested not mainly in what experiences have been passing through her head lately, but in

Defining happiness is hard for some people. Often times, people ask themselves the question “What does it mean to be happy?” Many people find themselves asking this question throughout their lifetime, but only a handful of people find the happiness they desire. For example, too many people in our society strive to become better than everyone else, instead of finding happiness in what they already have. This means that happiness is not something materialistic, but is instead found through intrinsic motivation. Despite its definition online or in the dictionary, each person has their own definition of happiness, including myself. In my opinion, there are three simple, key things to make you happy: love, doing what you love, and finding happiness within oneself.

In conclusion a job is something that you should enjoy. I want to wake up one morning and be excited about going. Prestige and benefits are only going to make you happy on

What is happiness? Have you ever wondered what makes you feel happy, or what that feeling is? Happiness isn’t being rich, it isn’t having everything you ever wanted, and it isn’t always feeling the best. When you are happy, you have a great feeling of emotion inside of you. You have a positive mind set for the things you are doing at that moment. Having happiness makes you feel like a better person and you will pass that happiness, “energy,” to all the people around you.

On a Friday night almost nine clocks. I and my family were getting the table dinner ready for our guest for tonight. Everyone seems to be happy that we have company coming in. the bell door rang, I rush to the door to open it. Thomas Jefferson - "The Founding Father" arrived. I was honored to have him in my house. I expected all of them to come together at the same time, so we don't have to wait for others in order to eat. I took him to his seat and I told him to make yourself at home. The doorbell rang again, I opened the door. There was C.S. Lewis, his Holiness the Dalai Lama, Gretchen Rubin and Jennifer Michael Hecht standing in line. I was like thank god they came at the same time. I took them to their seats. Before we began eating I told them how happy am I see them and to eat with them. Everyone started eating, While I was eating I was thinking about how happy am I. I asked myself why am I happy right now. Then, I asked everyone at the table, what makes people happy? Is it freedom, money, or pleasure and desire.

We are often told to be happy and to make others happy but never about the methods to do so. Furthermore, a definition is seldomly given for what happiness is with the few that are provided being generic and unsatisfying. Despite happiness being of high significance to all human beings, few have proper knowledge of it and are inadequate in their explanations. However, philosophers from ancient history to modern times have had various and unique ideas regarding happiness including Bentham, Aristotle, and Schopenhauer, all prominent figures of their time. These philosophers not only provide their own insight on happiness but help develop my personal idea of happiness and how it can be obtained. From their thoughts and my understanding of philosophy , I believe happiness is comprised of a self-guided road towards developing character.

Care for others. The way this will help you achieve happiness is that when you help others it gives you a warm feeling inside. It makes you feel as if you have done something right. This feeling is almost unexplainable. Helping others is one of the best things you can do. For example, when you complement someone the best feeling is when you see the look on that persons face and see how happy you made them. Also, if you do not care for others you will live a lonely life. Without care for others no one will want to be around you. So, if you care for others you will have a joyous life.