According to Andrew J. Elliot in A Motivational Analysis of Defensive Pessimism and Self-Handicapping, defensive pessimism is “a cognitive strategy that involves setting unrealistically low expectations and thinking through worst-case outcomes of an upcoming achievement situation” (Elliot, 370). Defensive pessimism leads to a want for success and a fear of failure, whereas optimism leads to an expectation of success and no fear of failure. In reality, both success and failure are inevitable. Therefore, adequate motivation must prepare for both scenarios. That is why defensive pessimism is healthy; it prepares people for the challenges and triumphs that come with life.
The next perception supporting happiness understand that we are successful human beings. Self-sufficiency is the other aspect that plays a role in the conclusion of pure happiness. People tend to feel a sensation of power when they realize that they are not under anyone’s control. That is why we tend to despise situations in which we do not receive the satisfactory freedom to act in addition to showing emotional reaction. It is the nature to engage in different actions contrary to the expected.
The acceptance of failure was believed to lead to a striving towards success and the understanding of other negative emotions lets people understand what to do to be happy. The acknowledgment and acceptance of failure, although thought by many to decrease happiness, allows people to live happier and meaningful lives. According to “Flow- The
Private good prevails over public good, as people tend to act in their self-interest. They want what they think will propel their life forward. Private good only gives us a temporary pleasure that influences us to want more. On the other hand, public good generates a sense of contentment to the individual, which can spread to the rest of society. Ideally, public good should be more pursued for an individual to embrace a good life as it encompasses happiness that private good cannot produce.
Mill’s critics would likely say that Utilitarianism as a whole can function to create selfish people because all are striving towards a life of more pleasure than pain, but Mill shuts this down with the idea of happiness being impartial. Basically, a person must choose an action that yields the most happiness or pleasure, whether that pleasure is for them or not. Mill would recognize that, “Among the qualitatively superior ends are the moral ends, and it is in this that people acquire the sense that they have moral intuitions superior to mere self-interest” (Wilson). By this, it is meant that although people are supposed to take action that will produce the greatest pleasure, the do not do so in a purely selfish manner. Mill goes on to argue that the happiness of individuals is interconnected; therefore one cannot be selfish in such a way.
Mill suggests that pleasure should guide our decision-making. While the statement is true, it is not fully correct. If a person will deal with pain that come from hard work, dedication, and perseverance, then the benefits will be that much sweeter.
The celebrated event might be less imperative, but it does not defeat the purpose or the worth of celebrating for the occasion. Dickinson includes a term “achievement inflation” which means too many of these “celebrations” can dull down the experience of the actual purpose of them. The purpose is to feel proud and accomplished but to not overdo it so the feeling does not become familiar. The idea of celebrating life events are suppose... ... middle of paper ... ...ons or recognitions was key and vital to help keep a goal in my mind as it increased my determination to do better in the future. According to Dickinson, too many celebrated events can dull out the experience because consistent occurrences dismantles the meaning.
Those people attain these certain conditions like joy and they fulfill their own goals which creates a more satisfying life. It is necessary for everyone to do what they love to do instead of doing something they despise doing just for the money. Doing and achieving what one loves is what will make you successful. “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.
I think that there are alternative actions that people can take to naturally increase their happiness, and the happiness of our society overall. One major problem with decreasing suffering is that you cannot appreciate the good without the bad (Power, “The End of Suffering”). It is very important to go through struggles in order to fully appreciate good times, and be truly happy when things are going well. Good times would not truly feel amazing if they occurred all of the time. It has also been suggested that a
In order to do so, people should realize that they tend to be obsessed with pleasure, and do not try to seek gratification. Although seeking pleasure is not necessary ethically wrong, seeking only pleasure cause many problems on both self and others. Therefore, I think that striving for authentic happiness is the best way to solve problems that humans cause by seeking pleasure and make the better world where many people become happy.