This order has been set on revision status. Please press the "Confirm" button to tell us you are aware of this, and that you will complete it within the time provided.

.Name:

Instructor:

Course:

Date:

Happiness cannot be changed

Taking into consideration the first argument of the debate which postulates the fact that happiness is somehow determined at an early age when an individual is born, it can be argued that to some extend this is true. Apparently, social scientists after forty years of research came up with three basic determinants of happiness which included genes, values, and events (Mohanty, 80). As a result, it can be argued that when an individual is equipped with this knowledge, they can be able to modify their lives as well as the lives of those people around them. The identification of the gene as a determinant factor of happiness was realized through research that had been conducted over four decades. The research proved that 48% of individual happiness is through genetic inheritance. It is wise to argue that there is substantial evidence that suggests that happiness is determined when an individual is borne.

It has been proven that the secret to happiness is accepting what an individual cannot change. In this case, accepting that there are some things in life that cannot be changed may play a crucial role towards living a satisfied life. It is for this reason that I believe that the second argument has some element of truth since accepting what an individual cannot change is one step towards life satisfaction (Mohanty, 80). By borrowing a leaf from some of the most common Buddhists teachings, ignoring something that cannot be configured in life is the primary secret towards reducing suffering. In so doing, one is able to exert control in later life stage. In simple terms, in order for an individual to exert some sense of happiness in their life, it is important for them to feel a sense of active acceptance and control. It is for this reason that some individuals are of the opinion that peace cannot be achieved through violence but it can be realized through understanding.

There is a common saying that money does not represent everything a man wants in life (Veenhoven, 45). In other words, money may improve the standards of living but may not necessarily improve an individual emotional wellbeing. In this case, it can be argued that, as much as money can improve the economical status of an individual, individual difference in wealth cannot necessary change the level of happiness (Veenhoven, 45). A person may be contented with the little they have hence making them happy in their current position. However, others may be guided by greed irrespective of the amount of wealth they possess; hence they may still be unhappy.

Until recently, most research psychologists have been trying to comprehend what makes individuals depressed ignoring the element of what makes them happy. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies have also developed anti-depressants but the question that remains is how individuals can be a happy without using expensive drugs (Veenhoven, 45). In this case, taking into consideration argument number five of the debate about strategies and mechanisms used to enhance happiness, it can be refuted that such mechanisms do not make individuals happy but they rather try to reduce the negative emotions. It is for this reason that an individual’s happiness lies in his or her own hands. In other words, people need to develop adaptive strategies that will ensure that they accept their current situations and in the process, they will live a satisfactory life. In simple terms, as much as the key to happiness is genetic, it can be argued that the rest of the factors determining happiness are controlled through individual initiatives.

Work Cited

Mohanty, Madhu S. "What determines happiness? Income or attitude: Evidence from the US longitudinal data." Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics, vo. 7, no. 2, 2014, pp. 80.

Veenhoven, Ruut. Conditions of happiness. Springer Science & Business Media, 2013.