The Pursuit of Happiness

The Pursuit of Happiness

Brandon Robichaux

Lone Star College

Author Note

This paper was prepared for English 1302-5068, taught by

Mary Davis.

Abstract

        With the modern U.S. society relying on its workers to carry the load of the nation, and the government being more set on helping out corporations with high tax breaks.  This could be the first time in our nation’s history where a generation grows up to never experience true happiness.  With society that makes people believe they will not be happy unless they are buying something.  This euphoria that comes from shopping or getting recognized at work for doing a good job can be confused with happiness.  This writing will show how this nation became this way and what needs to be done, personally, to reverse this idea of momentary happiness.  Because “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony” Mahatma Gandhi.

The Pursuit of Happiness

        When talking about happiness in American society today, one does not have to look very far to see that it is a word ingrained into our core values as a nation.  The first thing that usually comes into a person’s mind when mentioning the Declaration of Independence are these seven words: “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”  America fought for independence to secure the inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness.  But in today society happiness seems out of reach to millions of Americans.  The definition of happiness is simple; it is the state of being happy, so when did it become for one to be happy they must first achieve.  Today almost everyone follows or believes in the formula of; “If I work harder I will be more successful and if I am more successful then I will be happier”.  Why is this, why does society today associate happiness with success?  Some of the greatest philosophical minds like, The Dalai Lama and Mahatma Gandhi have said that “happiness is determined more by one's state of mind than by external events” and “happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”.  Happiness cannot be bought; it has to be worked for to be achieved.  So let’s work this issue a bit deeper and hopefully everyone can come out a bit happier.

        To truly define happiness one “has to see happiness as a value term, roughly synonymous with well-being or flourishing when the other uses the word as a purely descriptive psychological term, akin to depression or tranquility” (Haybron, D.). So what is happiness?  This question has no straight answer, because the meaning of the question itself is unclear.  What exactly is being asked?  Assume everyone wants to know what the word happiness means.  To best answer is it pleasure, a life of prosperity, something else?  The question cannot be answered until some notion of what is meant by the word.