The Pursuit of Happiness

1. David G. Myers, in The Pursuit of Happiness, says in Chapter 2 that there is little, if any, relationship between wealth and happiness. In other words, being wealthy is no guarantee whatsoever that the wealthy individual will be happy.

Myers argues that although "nations' well-being differences correlate modestly with national affluence, . . . the link between national affluence and well-being isn't consistent" (35). Overall, those from rich and poor nations do not show great differences in life satisfaction, "warmth of spirit" and enjoying the company of other human beings (36).

Similarly, the richest people in any country are not necessarily the happiest. Neither are they necessarily the most unhappy, for money can bring less financial worry, obviously, more travel opportunities, etc., but this does not equate with happiness. Happiness is basically spiritual, or religious. I personally believe that if one is a Christian, he will always have in mind that God loves him and is on his side and will help him in his various enterprises, as long as they are for his own good and/or the good of others.

Also, increase in wealth does not mean increase in happiness: "our becoming much better-off over the last thirty years has not been accompanied by one iota on increased happiness and life satisfaction" (44).

These findings obviously stand in utter disagreement with the personal and social values upon which the United States and the "American Dream" are based. Above all, th

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le and who keep trying to acquire wealth and things which will never make them happy. 3. The four traits which Myers says happy people possess are self-esteem, personal control, optimism, and extraversion. Obviously, self-esteem is essential to happiness. If one does not like oneself, does not feel that oneself has value, even hates oneself, then happiness is impossible and misery is assured. An important part of self-esteem is that it be based not on what one owns in the material world, but rather on emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being. However, the basis of self-esteem from the Christian perspective is that God loves one, which is constant, compared to the fluctuation of what one feels about himself. Personal control is crucial to happiness because if one believes that he has no power in life, then he will feel that he is a victim of circumstances, and whatever happens to him will be beyond his control. The role of personal control is to give the individual not only a certain amount of power in shaping his own destiny, but also to give him a consciousness and will which do not become passive from a perspective of powerlessness. Obviously, a person who is optimistic, who believes that the future is bright r

Category: Philosophy - T