English III TN Core Writing Assessment Writing Prompt #2 Analysis of “The Futile Pursuit of Happiness” By Jon Gernter And “The Science of Happiness” By Michael Mendelsohn The “Pursuit of Happiness” is a right that is given to all citizens of the United States of America in the Declaration of Independence. However, I am not sure the attempt to become happier than we are at this present moment is always an easy task much less even possible at times unless we work for it. The Futile Pursuit of Happiness, written by Jon Gernter, focuses on affective forecasting. This idea suggests that people demonstrate poor judgment in predicting future emotional states when it comes to their well-being. How can anyone foresee what will make them happy or unhappy or how they will react or feel about it when it actually does happen?
Since the true path to happiness, according to Epictetus, is the attainment of virtue, we can all become happier by improving ourselves, whether morally or intellectually. Furthermore, Epictetus' philosophy of happiness would lead us to live less stressful lives if we came to worry about only that which we can control. Still, while I admire Epictetus and his philosophy, I do not believe that most of us could be happy purely through the attainment of virtue. I believe that social support and some level of material possessions are necessary for happiness; we cannot forever strive only for virtue. I do, however, believe that Epictetus had a strong point when he asserted that we should only, rationally-speaking, worry about what we can change -- what good is there in worrying about things we cannot
Gonzalez, Jessika Dr. Jeffries Essay #1 09/28/12 What is happiness? There are many different definitions of happiness and happiness is determined by each individual. “The Aim of Man” by Aristotle and “The Declaration of Independence” by Thomas Jefferson both discuss the meaning of happiness means to them. By discussing their attitudes towards material and spiritual happiness as well as their attitudes toward political freedom and the need for possessions, Jefferson and Aristotle, wrote what they feel about happiness. Aristotle defines happiness as the final good which means, to live a good life, by doing good deeds and happiness depends upon us.
Just as the novel mentions, “he spoke as if Daisy’s reaction was the only thing that mattered.” (Fitzgerald, 2001: 192) Gatsby is nimble and ambitious in making money, which shows the “sagacity” of modern people, but towards love he gives us the impression of “a naive young man.” The reader may wonder what makes Gatsby great? Gatsby is great because of his loyalty to love. He has the desire to repeat the past, and the desire for money. For Gatsby, Daisy is the soul of his dreams. He believes he can regain Daisy.
He then leads up to his main objection of this definition by means of stating that even though men and gods love that which they think is noble and good, and hate that which is opposite to those things, not everyone thinks this way about all things (Plato, 7). This being in the nature of things that are considered to be good by a group of people, can be hated by others, and this would also apply to the gods, for not everyone thinks the same. Socrates then uses a good example concerning the gods to better prove his reasons. He states that even though Euthyphro's decision to proceed against his own father may seem agreeable to Zeus, but not to Cronos or Uranus, and that there may be other gods who have these differences of opinions (7). Concerning
I think because we do not know what death brings that we use consequences even in death and after lives to set guidelines while we are alive. Socrates is using the myth of Er as a way to show that being just is the only way to show that being just is the only way to true happiness. Someone who refuses justice and lives a life as an unjust person, and fallows all his desires no matter who they might hurt, will suffer the consequences in the end. Socrates believes the Gods will love the just and hate the unjust. while the just are alive they seem to be the once who suffer.
You should be able to yield for your own good.” This quote shows that the gods also wish for Antigone to be set free. “Teiresias, it is a sorry thing when a wise man Sells his wisdom, lets out his words for
Loyalty to the gods is first shown in the end when Creon is choosing what to do with Oedipus. Creon and Oedipus were not on good terms, because just hours earlier, Oedipus threatened to have Creon killed. Creon could have easily had revenge, but, instead chooses to “learn from the God the course of action I [he] should follow” (Sophocles 468). Creon shows his allegiance by not taking the chance he has, doing whatever he wants with Oedipus, and choosing to ask the gods how Oedipus should be punished. Creon’s steadfast act proves that he puts the gods before himself.
The significance of this analogy is to convey that one must only listen to the ones with more knowledge. Socrates thinks that wrongdoing damages the soul and that cirtue benefits the soul. According to Socrates our soul is more important than our body. Socrates thinks our soul is the most important thing because it is what we are and it will continue on after our bodies die. Socrates says that "one must never willingly do wrong" because wrongdoings damage the soul.
By persecuting his father is piety. But Socrates discards his definition because it is in fact not a definition but rather an example. It does not give reason on why things are pious. So, Euthyphro rebounds by claiming piety is what is pleasing to the gods. He says that “ The things and the men that are pleasing to the gods are pious, and the things and the men that are displeasing to the gods are impious.” Socrates approves of this definition because it is of a very generalization.