For my research essay I wrote about how proving that happy life can be attained by a specific set of steps is not possible.  Many researchers claim that they have found a recipe for happiness while others claim that people can simply choose to be happy.  As a result, people who do not and cannot pursue that happiness, are shunned or taken in to be made happy.  The truth is that even with the best conditions, happiness can never really be guaranteed.

1. There’s More to Life Than Being Happy

Smith, Emily E. “There’s More to Life Than Being Happy.” The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 09 Jan. 2013. Web. 30 Mar. 2015. This is a main source used to make the counterargument that happiness is based on meaning in life.

Background: Prominent Jewish psychiatrist Viktor Frankl postulated that the pursuit of happiness had nothing to do with leading a meaningful life.   He found that being happy is about feeling good and lacking stress.  A lifestyle of “taking” was typically found to be a happier one.  People who have found meaning in life are usually giving and make sacrifices to happiness in order to benefit others.  The meaning derived from a selfless lifestyle comes from the sacrifice to something greater than oneself.  While happiness is temporary and fades, meaning lasts in life through the past and future.

How I Used It: This article will be used to display the counter-argument for being happy.  People who are happy aren’t necessarily selfish and people who are unhappy aren’t necessarily selfless.

2. The Economics of Immediate Gratification

Background: People today only act on short-term gains.  Regardless of how we feel about doing well in the long-term, short-term outcomes still govern our actions.  Do people really think about their own actions causing self-control issues in the future?

How Used It: This article provided background information on the self control aspect of the happiness counterargument.

3. Let the Happiness In

Williamson, Mark. “Let the Happiness In.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Ltd., 12 Apr. 2011. Web. Source used for the counterargument of proving happiness in society.

Background: Despite great strides in increasing the quality of life in developed countries over the last 50 years, people are still not happy.  People are also no longer trusting of one another as society has made people self-centered and caused social problems ranging from depression to the breakdown of the family unit.  However, if people changed their focus on helping and sacrificing for the people around them such as family, close friends, and community, people would be happier and healthier.

How I Used It: This article was used for the society and happiness counterargument.  I used it to disprove the notion that happiness can be achieved through focus on relationships and activities.

4. What would make a Happier Society?

“Connecting.” PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. Source counterargument for the happiness and social relationships.

Background: There are several specific factors that have an effect on whether a person is happy including Health, Income, Work, and Family.  The analysis of the slow decline in people happiness was shown to be a fall in the religious belief, leading to the increase in individualism.  Previously the unselfishness of man was shown to better fellow man, however the decrease in belief in a higher power undermines man’s obligation to help others.

How I Used It:  This article provided background information for the societal happiness and trust for the counterargument.

5. Connection and Happiness

Background: We need others to make us happy and to improve our quality of life.  Mutual relationships and friendships allow us to fulfill our fundamental social and emotional needs like validation of self worth, security, and assistance in times of need.  The happiness provided by companionship is lasting compared to other forms.

How I Used It: This article primarily makes claims concerning relationships and their relevance to a persons happiness.  I can use the claims and support to reinforce the idea that having greedy social status and material items doesn’t have a lasting effect on happiness.  While the selfless relationships that exist between people allow oneself a greater satisfaction with life.

6. Love People, Not Pleasure

Brooks, Arthur C. “Love People, Not Pleasure.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 July 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. A source providing background for the counterargument that happiness cannot be bought.

Background: Just because you aren’t happy doesn’t mean you are unhappy.  A main source for people’s general unhappiness may be that people get too caught up with the search for their own well being.  Reality TV has lead to shows where people are loved, hated, or simply recognized(fame) which allows those individuals to have other care about what they say or do.  This leads to the realization that intrinsic goals for life are more fulfilling that fame can provide.

How I Used It: I used this article to make the counter argument that giving and investing happiness in people doesn’t necessarily yield a happy life.  I used Abd al-Rahman as an example of the loving people not things argument.

7. How to Be Happy

Background: Living a happier life isn’t about removing unhappiness, its about focusing on positive events and goals in life.  Well being is defined as a state that allows one to thrive and flourish.  Happiness is about attaining an optimist attitude where one focuses on the positives in life than regretting the negatives.  Living a satisfying life is about balance between pleasant, good, and meaningful lifestyles.

How I Used It: This article gave background to the claims that one can be both unhappy and happy in life.  I used it to display the counter argument that we can simply be happy with an optimist attitude.  It also provides a clearer definition for “well being”.

8. Are you addicted to Unhappiness?

Sack, David, M.D. “Are You Addicted to Unhappiness?” Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers LLC, 5 Mar. 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. Source providing counterargument that people prefer unhappiness to being happy.

Background: A basic aspect of human behavior is that we seek pleasure to avoid pain, yet people make choices that are intentionally made to cause unhappiness.  There is a shift to complain about their unhappiness and almost seem proud of it.  This behavior is counter intuitive and is supported by findings related to the feelings behind horror movie viewers and people who feel guilty or undeserving of happiness.

How I Used It: I used this article to display a counterargument that people have a choice in their happiness and that people genuinely prefer to be unhappy.

9.  The Journal of Positive Psychology Ad-Hoc Reviewers 2008

“The Journal of Positive Psychology Ad-Hoc Reviewers 2008.” The Journal of Positive Psychology 10.3 (2015): n. pag. Web. This source is used to provide a statistical quote for the meaning and happiness topic of the debate.

Background: A study published surveyed 400 Americans 18-75 asking whether their lives felt meaningful or happy.  From the data the authors reached the conclusion that living a happy life is associated with being a “taker” while a meaningful life a “giver.”

How I Used It: I used it in the form of quoted material, for my counterargument against happiness being selfish.  The article claimed that the happiness can signify a selfish or shallow life.

10. What ‘marshmallow Test’ Can Teach You about Your Kids – CNN.com

Hadad, Chuck. “What ‘marshmallow Test’ Can Teach You about Your Kids – CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 22 Dec. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. This source is used for the background for the marshmallow test results for self control and happiness.

Background: CNN conducted a report examining the principles, theory, and findings behind the marshmallow test.  The test, conducted by Dr. Walter Mischel, explored the self control of children and its findings showed profound indications on how they would make decisions throughout their lives.

How I Used It: I used this as a counterargument for the self control aspect of the paper.  The findings were not definitive therefore the arguments that use it as evidence that people who made the “right” decision in the test will lead happier lives.

11. How to Be Happy: 15 Common Habits

Ciotti, Gregory. “How to Be Happy: 15 Common Habits.” Sparring Mind RSS. Sparring Mind, 11 Sept. 2013. Web. 26 Apr. 2015. This source is used as an example of research supporting a variety of lifestyle changes that would improve happiness.

Background: Happiness is very abstract therefore the closest one can get to postulating happiness is to observe patterns of behavior in people.  There are 15 habits typically exhibited by happy people.  They are thinking of oneself less, being busy but not rushed, having a few close relationships, being proactive about relationships, moving beyond small talk, enjoying the little things in life, spend time and money on experiences, setting goals, show appreciation for others, mastering skills, changing perspectives, exercise, and don’t waste time.

How I Used It: I used this argument to demonstrate that enough evidence can be used to prove a vague generalization about happiness.  The points and research outlined in the article also provides background for the rest of the arguments.

12. Health Is Our Authentic Wealth: 7 Tips to Make Positive Lifestyle Changes.

Serenity, Channa. “Health Is Our Authentic Wealth: 7 Tips to Make Positive Lifestyle Changes.” MindBodyGreen. MindBodyGreen, LLC., 06 Aug. 2012. Web. 02 Mar. 2015. This source is used as evidence that what makes people happy cannot be solely based on diet and exercise.

Background: An article about how lifestyle and health can lead to a happier life.  There are seven points that lead to a happier and healthier life, Attitude, Environment, Dedication, Making Health a Habit, Be Open to new things, Discernment, and Support.  The topic of the entire article is that Health is Our Authentic Wealth.

How I Used It: I used this article as a counter argument that a healthy diet exercise regimen can provide a happy life.  The article focuses exclusively on how exercise can give one a happy life.