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happiness argumentative essay
happiness argumentative essay
happiness argumentative essay
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The rights to happiness can be defined, explained, and shown in many different ways and throughout many different cultures. Some believe that you have a direct, full time right to happiness regardless of what you do, others believe that you have to earn that right, and others think that you do not have a right to it at all. Our founding fathers cemented in our Declaration of Independence that we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nowhere does it say that we have a direct right to happiness itself, but we can pursue it by any means necessary. I believe that we have the right to pursue it and find our own form of happiness as long as it does not interfere with other people and their journey to find happiness. We have …show more content…
You should never trade true happiness for some possible one time pleasure. Aristotle believes that even pleasure can continue onto pure happiness (Aristotle 86). C.S. Lewis tells us that when a couple has achieved their own lasting happiness, it isn’t due to some magical bond, it’s because they are good and adaptable people (C.S. Lewis 231). Aristotle continued on and said that if an action is good and noble, then since man judges these attributes well, then one in the end should be happy Aristotle (86). I believe that these statements support one another by showing how each of them can show that what starts out as pleasure, can lead into pure happiness. As such, true happiness, if you have it from what you have done or what you have gained from pleasure should never be traded for a one time stint with pleasure. Now there are some people who believe that you have the right to happiness by any means, and to harm anyone morally even if you had pure happiness and plan on trading it for …show more content…
Although our government defends our right to pursue happiness, this does not mean that they defend your right to do so while harming others. They defend your right to pursue happiness as long as it stays on the lawful path. Aristotle has shown us that even in Ancient Greece they had a standard for what they believed as happiness that is still carried on and believed to this day, The Dalai Lama has his own beliefs that still do not interfere and C.S. Lewis believes that we throw away our morals just to put one form of happiness up on a pedestal, harming others that we may love along this path. Combining all of these teachings together shows us that we can, in fact, achieve happiness without harming others as long as we help each other, and stay true to one another and believe in our own
Before we look into specifics, we’ll examine the history and development of “happiness” as a philosophy. Of course, the emotion of happiness has always existed, but it began to be seriously contemplated around 2,500 years ago by philosophers like Confucius, Buddha, Socrates and Aristotle. Shortly after Buddha taught his followers his Noble Eight Fold Path (which we will talk about later), Aristotle was teaching that happiness is “dependent on the individual” (Aristotle).
I also know that sometimes I need to give up my right of happiness for others. For example, there was a man on a boat along with other men. And there was a quarrel on the boat. As a result, everyone was given a place. So the man decided to dig a hole at his place, justifying that by saying that is his right and place. So if they allowed him, they all would be in danger. And if they prevented him, they would have denied his right .In this case, I personally think that man should give up his right for the sake of others. Of course, you may not agree or consider the right to dig a hole at that man’s place, but
Happiness has always been a desirable goal throughout our lives, but each actions we take might just affect the happiness of others. When humans seek happiness, we always seek for things that make us feel alive, or things that brings us the greatest comfort. Our contentment comes with the act of selfishness since we choose to prioritize our happiness above all other. We willingly classify happiness in two different types of meaning, both physical and mental happiness. People ought not be in title to happiness because it is classified in general as a physical desire by many people. Contentment is always known to be a physical satisfaction in life instead of a self-inducing satisfaction for life.
Happiness can come in many different ways for people. For me, my Pursuit of Happiness is doing what you love and living your life to your expectations. Over this unit of American Literature we have studied The Great Gatsby the characters looked to others for their happiness. In Of Mice and Men The characters did what made others happy instead of themselves and also looked to simple things for happiness. Although in Ain't I a Woman Sojourner Truth did what made her happy even if everyone was against her. If you are doing
Therefore, happiness relies upon one's freedom to decide their own place in society, the relationships they establish with others, and ability to make their own decisions.
The pursuit of happiness as Jefferson’s phrased and recognized centuries later, is a natural right and a fundamental objective of man, and not based on the possession of material things but in growth as people can achieve, obtaining our goals and aspirations and the positive impact we can have on the lives of others.
But what does happiness really mean? People might say smiling, or being with your loved ones but according to google happiness feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. What makes you happy? Dose your friends make you happy? Or your pet? Or even a video game? These things make many people happy but how is happiness triggered? Well google says that there are four primary chemicals in the brain that affect happiness: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. I'd did some research and found out that each one you trigger your happiness will go up, which increases productivity in your brain. So the happier you are the harder you think. We know what happiness means, but what does the pursuit of happiness mean? I did some research and found out that the meaning of the pursuit of happiness means, google says the pursuit The pursuit of happiness is defined as a fundamental right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence to freely pursue joy and live life in a way that makes you happy, as long as you don't do anything illegal or violate the rights of others. I agree with this definition because I do this every day, I go to school and see my friends, that makes me happy. I also play video games and hang out with my family. These things make me happy and I'm not violating any laws while doing this. You also can’t buy happiness. Happiness comes from within and it can’t be valued at a certain price. Charles
No other few words in American history are more well-known and iconic than the phrase from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (492). Recognized by some as one of the most eloquent and influential sentences in the history American text, Thomas Jefferson’s words have stuck with us for more than two centuries and we still don’t have a clear definition of what these “unalienable rights” truly mean. While many usually can agree on the meanings of life and liberty, happiness on the other hand has long been a matter of discourse. As Americans embark into a new ideal of American life, it's worth contemplating about what this indefinable phrase really means. Though our nation’s founding document states that we are given these rights, what did Jefferson really mean by the pursuit of happiness? Is happiness truly attainable? And more importantly what is the meaning for us today?
At least, not to actively try to acquire happiness as an end goal, but rather to let the good will bring happiness as a byproduct. “On the other hand, it is a duty to maintain one’s life; and, in addition, everyone has also a direct inclination to do so.” This quote from Kant touches the idea that while it is important to be morally dutiful to others, it is also important to focus on bringing happiness to yourself. Here, I agree with almost everything on this point. I definitely agree that acquiring happiness for yourself is important. The only thing I disagree with Kant on is that I believe that it is possible to actively find personal
C.S. Lewis’s “We Have No “Right to Happiness” presents an idea behind the thoughts of moral law and the law of the state. Lewis begins with the story of Mr. and Mrs. A, and develops his argument through this confrontation with Claire and there view points on the subject. Claire’s perspective is that you are given the lawful right to pursue happiness in any shape or form given that it is not wrong in the eyes of the law. Lewis argument goes beyond the eyes of the law, given that we have a moral duty to do the right thing in the eyes of God, which is seen as natural law. The argument is presented by Lewis to the men of his time due to the fact that Lewis believes that man will die at heart if we continue to develop into a civilization that only
America the Country of the people, the land of the free where everyone is entitled rights and responsibilities that are vital in order to preserve their nations democratic government. The freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others, and also the freedom to express oneself. Those are just to name a few. Each of these has an importance in their government in order to maintain a vigorous nation.
“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” a well-known phrase from the Declaration of Independence puts forth the idea that the United States of America was built, partially, on the idea of “happiness” for all Americans. This idea of happiness, however, has no set definition, to some happiness comes from power, wealth, emotion, helping, to others it comes in the form of achievement of a major or minor goal they have set in their lives. Designed by those who strive for it, happiness takes on the life and purpose that a particular person strives for, provided that it follows lawful means of attainment. Personally, I believe that true happiness stems from contentment, fellowship with others and belief.
I believe that happiness is the key to living a good and prosperous life. Through all of the sadness and hate in the world, happiness gives me hope. It gives not only me, but others hope and joy. Happiness gives us something to hold onto, therefore we cherish it as much as we can.
Happiness, what is it, and why do we strive to achieve it so persistently? Happiness in some points of view is portrayed as the state that is derived from self-awareness of a benefiting action or moment taking place. What of the moments that are not beneficial? Can a person still find moments of happiness and success in discord, a little glimmer of light shining from the deep recesses of our own consciousness? Plucking it from a mere moment, achieved from money, or is it so much more, happiness is the precipice that all strive to gain to better perceive their success. As a person lives, they are in a constant struggle to be happy. For instance, even the United States Constitution makes reference to the idea that every person has the inalienable right to pursue happiness. This was the resulting outcome of the enlightenment from France, spilling out into the rest of the world from 1650 through 1800. This revolutionized the idea that every single person has the inalienable right to happiness or in different views the right to succeed. As to how one peruses or conjures their happiness that is an entirely different concept and completely up to their preferred preference, but it is something that a person needs to find on their own for true success.
Happiness has to begin within you, and by having solid beliefs and values that you don’t compromise builds a foundation to have your happiness on. Stick true to yourself and who you are, and if something is against your values don’t do it. You cannot ever