Carson Hulak

English Composition 1101 3pm

Dr. Courtney Ferriter

09/30/19

“In Pursuit of Happiness” Summary-

In “The Pursuit of Happiness”, Kingswell emphasizes that happiness cannot just be

defined with a one- sentence explanation, it is much deeper than that. Happiness is biologically
pre-determined and nothing you do in your life, whether that is aspirations or accomplishments
you have set out for in your life can surpass that genetically determined level of happiness you
can reach. “Biology is destiny” (Kingwell 531), Kingwell says is the way happiness works, you are
either happy or you are not and money, education and the family you come from have less
importance on determining that than your own genetic pre-disposition does. Striving for a
higher level of happiness will send you on a path to discontentment. Kingwell targets this for
those who constantly strive for a higher level of contentment, ensuring them in which they all
have a limit they can’t surpass.

“A Balanced Psychology and A Full Life” Summary-

Happiness is a condition above and beyond the lack of unhappiness and the lack thereof
a severe mental illness does not mean happiness either. The Authors states that too much
research is done these days on making those whom are unwell, somewhat happy again with
little to no focus on those that are demined mentally well. Yet they point out that happiness is
genetically pre-determined but there are many ways in which we strive for more contentment.
They explain happiness in levels, not just one simple definition, there is pleasure which people
tend to attempt to satisfy by making others happy to in turn to make themselves feel better.
The 2nd pursuit of happiness is gratification, which we strive to accomplish through completing
tasks at work or completing a paper for a literature class, something that gives you a feeling of
accomplishment. The final pursuit to that end goal of “happiness” is the want to belong to
somewhat larger than yourself, such as a family, political affiliation and most common, a higher
spiritual power.

“Happiness: Enough Already” Summary-

Society tends to frown upon sadness, wanting to give you a pill or remedy for any bit of
sadness or discontentment you might experience but Begley’s emphasizes that being
somewhat discontent is if anything a great benefit. Those who are not always content with life
tend to be more successful and driven, someone who is always happy, never has the drive to
 push themselves farther in life and are content with staying where they are. Sadness has its
purpose in life, not to the point of complete depression but being mentally down can make
someone more creative and analytical. “The blues can be a catalyst for a special kind of genius”
(Begley 557).
Article and Author “Definition of Happiness”
“In Pursuit of Happiness” Kingswell states that,
by Mark Kingswell Happiness is not
something that can just be
defined in a dictionary, the
meaning is much more
elaborate to him.
“A Balanced Psychology & Happiness in this is
A Full Life” Page: 538-543 described as much more
than an absence of severe
mental illness, it is a
condition above and
beyond the lack of
unhappiness.
“Happiness: Enough Happiness is an express of
Already” by Sharron Begley one’s current mood, if one
experiencing happy
expression that can lead to
genuinely happy feelings.
How Happy Can One Be
Happiness is explained by
Kingswell as being
genetically predetermined,
you cannot change that.
Your either happy or you
are not, nothing you do
will ultimately change that.
Happiness is genetically
predetermined and
definitely has its
limitations but depending
on how we pursuit that
happiness will determine if
we reach that potential.
Begley says to be content
with how happy you are,
sadness isn’t always such a
negative thing, it can be
that catalyst towards your
own creative side.
Pursuit of Happiness
Kingswell says that the
pursuit for happiness
whether that is through
more money or a better
education will ever push
you past your own genetic
predisposition of
happiness.
In this article, they explain
the pursuit of happiness
into three different areas.
There is pleasure,
engagement, and meaning
in life. Following these
paths is your best way to a
higher level of happiness.
Begley explains the pursuit
of happiness in a way of,
that humans are never
content with how happy
they are, they always strive
for a higher level of
happiness, typically just
leading themselves to a
higher level of
discontentment.
Citations:

 Kingwell, Mark. Better Living: In Pursuit of Happiness from Plato to Prozac. Toronto:
Viking, 1998. Print.
 Seligman, M. E. P., Parks, A. C., & Steen, T. (2005). A balanced psychology and a full life.
In F. A. Huppert, N. Baylis, & B. Keverne
 Begley, S. (2008). Happiness: enough already. Newsweek, 151(6), 50-52. The happiness
movement. (2016). Live Happy. Retrieved from