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Poverty and happiness essay
Poverty and happiness essay
Poverty and happiness essay
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What are the factors that contribute to an individual’s happiness? There are many factors that could contribute to one’s happiness, but everybody has different things that make them happy. There are so many factors that could affect whether a person is happy or not and it effects each person differently. In Andrew Blackman’s essay “Can Money Buy You Happiness?” He is looking at the link between income and happiness, Blackman states, “giving money away makes people a lot happier” (Blackman 1) very radical but in Blackman’s experiments he found that even in poor countries when people gave their money to help someone else they felt happier. This helps show that, yes people with money are generally happier. But when the people who have money
Over the course of this class, my perspective on money and whether it makes us happy has changed. Before the start of second semester, I always believed that money did make someone happy, as most of my most memorable experiences are linked to money in some way. But, after reading several essays within the assigned class textbook, I concluded that was not the case. For example, in the short essay What’s so Bad About Being Poor, by author Charles Murray, he states that living in poverty is not such a bad lifestyle, and if anything, it builds character. He states that “To be poor is not necessarily to be without dignity, it is not necessarily to be unhappy” (P. 26). In this quote, he is explaining that individuals living in poverty are not automatically unhappy, and if they are, the fact that they do not have money is not linked to that. Murray explains that unhappiness stems from something that is much more complex than money. Author David Myers also
I, Sandy McSouthers deserve the money the most because I earned it, I worked for it and I lied for it. Not one person took a second look at me, not one person thought I was capable of being the bookie, the bomber, the burglar, the mistake or the murderer. I deceived people, I made people thank all I was, was a doorman and nothing more. I played the part of four people and not one person suspected I was anyone except Sandy McSouthers until the end when I wanted that one person to know. I didn't get close to anyone except for that one person and that person was turtle. I played my part and I played it well. I made sure to keep myself secluded from most people and that gave me a lot of leverage, it was like I was invisible to everyone else.
Happiness is a feeling adults experience when they receive a gift, win something, and various other reasons, but does money buy this happiness everyone experiences? Don Peck and Ross Douthat claim money does buy happiness, but only to a point in their article which originally appeared in the Atlantic Monthly (252). Throughout their article, reasons on why money can sometimes buy happiness are explained. While some of the reasons given are effective, not all are satisfying answers for adults working diligently to make a living. Money is a part of everyone’s life, yet it is not always the cause of happiness.
The research article "If We Are So Rich, Why aren 't We Happy?" By Professor of psychology Mihaly Csikszentmihaly is written to provide information to people and psychologists, with various examples and techniques from his books. Mihaly is the founder of "Positive theory" (1990), and originator of the "flow" concept, so through his studies Mihaly shows us that people in the United States believes materialism and having and excess amount of money will bring more happiness. This however is not the truth his studies show the opposite in fact, and it is clear that his article is more about providing information to the average person, rather than simply stating the facts of his books for a professional study. This is proven to be true when he talks
However, as already seen, the relationship between income and general life satisfaction was mainly explained by whether material aspirations (such as buying luxury goods) could be fulfilled.” In other words, one’s concept of happiness can vary from nation to nation. For example, people living in poor nations and having a low income tend to be satisfied by having just enough to meet their necessities. While, on the other hand, people with higher income tend to be satisfied if they have enough to buy luxury goods. Being wealthy does not lead one to happiness; it can help some people to obtain happiness, but it can also lead others to have unwanted experiences.
From the survey psychologists made, it seems that what makes us happy may not always bring more meaning, and vice versa. Feeling happy was strongly correlated with seeing life as easy, pleasant and free from difficult or troubling events, while none of these things were correlated with a greater sense of meaning. They also find that money is positively correlated with greater levels of happiness. However, having enough money seems to make little difference in life’s sense of meaning. Therefore, perhaps instead of saying that “Money doesn’t buy happiness,” we ought to say that “Money doesn’t buy meaning.” Additionally, in Baumeister’s study, “givers” reported higher levels of meaning in their lives compared to the “takers”. The researchers also point out
The idea brought out by Stanford Business school that spending money on other people make us more happier than spend it on ourselves, this simple investment allowed us get more from what we spent. Bill Gates is almost the wealthiest people in the world and he is willing to give away 99 percent of his money to others. For the rest of us, even though our bank account does not even close to 1 percent of Bill gate’s. But since spending money on others can makes us feel better, it doesn't matter how rich we are. We could purchasing a gift to our parents, it doesn’t have to be expensive, but seems it delivered the love and we spent our money, it gained far more “money” than it used to be. When we taking the subway, in some cucumstancese, we will see people begging for money to feed their family, I usually think they are lying but when I thinking in a different way, giving them money could became a investments and it makes us emotionally wealthier. This hypothesis “Investing in others can make individuals feel healthier and wealthier, even if it means making yourself a little poorer to reap these benefits.” (J. Flynn).
...that bring increased satisfaction." There many more other studies that support this theory that while money does affect levels of happiness, there is no strong relationship between money and well-being.
Money and Happiness are two things that we have all given a lot thought. We put lots of effort into these two things either trying to earn them or trying to increase them. The connection we make between money and happiness is strange because they are two very different concepts. Money is tangible, you can quantify it, and know exactly how much of it you have at any given time. Happiness, on the other hand, is subjective, elusive, has different meanings for different people and despite the efforts of behavioral scientist and psychologist alike, there is no definitive way to measure happiness. In other word, counting happiness is much more difficult than counting dollar bills. How can we possibly make this connection? Well, money, specifically in large quantity, allows for the freedom to do and have anything you want. And in simplest term, happiness can be thought of as life satisfaction and enjoyment. So wouldn’t it make sense that the ability to do everything you desire, result in greater satisfaction with your life.
Money and happiness are a topic always hot because too many people always concern about the relationship between money and happiness. That makes people cannot demonstrate exactly how it works or connects together. With me, I still explore that relationship, but I understand money is a part of happiness because we cannot live without money. Money is a main point can connect to your relative, household, and work. That’s why money is very powerful in some way of our life. It makes people can more understand each other and enjoy from it. As Rubin wrote, “Money can’t buy happiness, but it certainly seemed that people appear fairly well convinced about the significance of money to their happiness.” So I think that money is the basic essential help
A question that always seems to come up, asks if money can buy happiness. Many people believe that it can, but just as many say it cannot. Even though there are people who say money is the key to happiness, there are several good reasons that it isn’t. First, we must recognize the difference between comfortability, and happiness. Another key, is that memories cannot be bought. And you there is no price for love. Next is the use of excess income. And how it is used to show off the amount someone makes. Another key example is the inability to buy someone’s happiness, or memories. Money can however buy time in a way. It can even make someone happy, when used appropriately. The last and closest evidence to support the idea of money buying happiness,
..., a person who earns $25,000 is happier than a person who makes $125,000 and an employee who makes $500,000 is only slightly happier than someone who makes $55,000. Lastly, there are more important things in life that and make you happy, for example, friends. They don’t come with a price tag, and if they do, you definitely need new friends. Money won’t make you happy since good times can’t be bought. You don’t need a fancy vacation to have a good time; it’s just a matter of who you spend it with. Over the years, humans have blown the value of money way out of proportion. People make it seem like if you’re not filthy rich, then you won’t live a good life but it’s not true. You can lack money and yet still live a perfect, happy life.
No one can tell which philosopher in his writings has mentioned money as happiness. Which dictionary ever explains money as a synonym of happiness? Which mathematician has ever given up a formula - LIFE + MONEY = HAPPINESS? None of the scientists ever brought up a formula – Money when given up at 100 degree Celsius gives you happiness. When none of us has ever come across such words and formulas, none of the great personalities has ever mentioned it, then who the hell has instilled it in our minds that money brings happiness?
Acquiring things like houses and cars only has a transient effect on happiness. People’s desires for material possessions crank up at the same, or greater rate, than their salaries. Again, this means that despite considerably more luxurious possessions, people end up no happier. There’s even evidence that materialism makes us less happy. People don’t shift to enjoyable activities when they are rich.... ...
What is happiness? According to the dictionary, happiness is a mental or emotional state of positive or pleasant emotions. Now think closely, what does happiness mean to you? Many people say money can’t buy you happiness, some people say it can. People say, “How can you not be happy when you have a ton of money?” But people also say, “Having too much money can get in the way of happiness.” To me money is just green paper that lets you buy things you want and need. But can this green paper really buy you happiness? After reading this paper of mine, think about the question again and what do you believe is true.