Is the good life found in pursuing happiness?

Is the good life found in pursuing happiness?

            Happiness can be defined as a feeling of positive goodness. The cause of happiness is indefinable as the causes of happiness for different individuals vary a lot (Veenhoven, 5. Generally, it is borne of emotion. A lot of research has been conducted to come up with an understanding of what real happiness is and whether good life is found by pursuing happiness. Happiness is essential to people, and although its definition is subjective, it has been found that happiness gives life a better meaning.

Different sources and articles can reveal the perceptions of different people on happiness, and why happiness is of essence to different people. An excellent example of this is the speech by Frank Stephens at the United Nations. Stephens noted that he has down syndrome, but he still finds his life worth living. This is somewhat unexpected as many people associate ill health with a lack of happiness in life. Stephens’ speech helps give another perspective of what happiness is, and it also shows the divide that exists between the views of different people on happiness. Down syndrome is a developmental disability that significantly reduces the life expectancy of a person to about fifty years. Despite such a concern, Stephens stated that his life was great. From Stephens’ speech, it is evident that he is against the extensive abortion of fetuses diagnosed with Down syndrome. He rather sees the entrenchment of justice and support from the federal government as a source of happiness. In other words, he suggests that happiness is found in justice.

Robert Waldinger’s views on happiness also reveal that people have varied perceptions on happiness. In essence, happiness is a very vital component of life, yet extremely difficult to study. Currently, Robert Waldinger is the director at the Harvard Study of Adult Development. He is the subject of a long study on adult life. In a recent TED talk, Robert revealed several secrets and thresholds for happiness. According to Robert, there are three main determinants of happiness. If any of the three misses in an individual, it is likely that real happiness will not be achieved. One of these is the ability of an individual to foster close relationships with friends, relatives, family, and colleagues. According to his study, people with close relationships with friends, relatives, family, and colleagues tend to be healthier and happier (Waldinger, 3). Robert also noted that the quality of relationships is the key to happiness and not quantity. For instance, arguing a lot with your couple could significantly lower your affection towards each other and happiness levels. Thirdly, Robert noted that stable and supported marriages are vital for happiness among adults. Lack of either has been associated with a lack of happiness and poor health. Generally, Robert Waldinger views relationships and interactions with other people as the key to happiness.

The UN charter of human rights emphasizes the need for quality life for all persons. This quality life, according to the United Nations, can only be achieved if there is respect to human rights, and the availability of justice to all people (Assembly, UN General, 1). Respect for human rights brings about dignity and the ability of different groups of people to live together harmoniously. Whenever there is an abuse of any of the human rights highlighted in the UN charter on human rights, it becomes impossible to be happy. Studies have shown that countries that are associated with the abuse of human rights have more likelihood of having a huge part of the population unhappy.

Conclusively, happiness is a complex affair, and understanding the causes of happiness is not easy. This is because people have varied views on what they consider meaningful in life. For instance, some people believe good relationships are the key to happiness, while others believe money is the key to happiness. However, real happiness can only be realized if there is quality in life. In essence, quality life means good relationships with people, respect to human rights, good health, among many other issues. However, if any of these lacks, there has to be justice, and the availability of effective social services to address issues such as poor health and other social problems.

Works Cited

Assembly, UN General. “Universal declaration of human rights.” UN General Assembly 302.2 (1948).

Veenhoven, Ruut. “Is happiness relative?.” Social indicators research 24.1 (1991): 1-34.

Waldinger, Robert. “What makes a good life.” Lessons from the longest study on happiness. TED talks (2015).