...As Paul McCartney and John Lennon once said: “ I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me, love.” Some people may or may not agree with this lyric, but as someone who believes that you can’t be happy with any amount of money you may have, I do agree with that lyric. I think that money does not equal happiness. In a famous teens show called Gossip Girl the majority of the characters are from the upper east side where predominantly wealthy people live. In Gossip Girl this character named Blair is very well off and always talks about how money can buy happiness you just have to know where to shop, but if you pay attention throughout the whole show, you can tell she wasn’t pleased with all she had. Blair was always an independently...
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...1. How is the concept of happiness displayed in the movie? 2. How does the idea of the American Dream come into play in the film? 3. Compare the text “But will it make you happy?” from the compendium, with the movie The Joneses. Account for the different points of view and discus your own opinion. 4. How is the film, and your findings above, related to the idea of consumerism. The Joneses They say that happiness is fleeting. You have to enjoy it for as long as it lasts. But what is true happiness really? And can someone achieve happiness if they’re alone? In the movie “The Joneses” from 2009, we deal with a fake family whose job is to persuade other rich families to buy products. In return they will get paid with money and expensive stuff. This fake family consists of a mother, a husband, a daughter and a son. Personally they do not share anything with each other, except their job of course. Trough out the movie we see how money and marital stuff is not the answer to true happiness. Even though the characters are paid really well, they are all alone, with no family or friends. Meaning that they do not have anyone to share their wealth with. Even those in the movie who are married and have money are not happy. This is because of the fact, that they live in an illusion were money equals happiness. Secretly none of them is happy. We also see how some families do all they can just to look wealthy and happy in front of others, which eventually in the movie led...
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...Happiness Happiness is something that seems to be the goal of every single human being on this planet. However, the opinion on how to achieve happiness greatly differs from one individual to another. Some seek wealth, some seek relationships, and some seek a daily life of routines. Whichever the reason one seem to think is the correct, it seems like the key to happiness is appreciating what you have and enjoying every day. Hugh Downs once said: “A happy person is not a person in a set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” I find this to be very accurate. One of the common perceptions in the western civilization is that more resources equal a better, happier life. However I, coming from “the best world to live in” often find myself envying people with very little resources. After a while, one starts to realize that buying the newest cell phone on the market, buying designer clothes or even buying a brand new Rolls Royce is a very shallow and short lasting kind of happiness. It’s easy to start thinking that it might be better just living a simple life in a small African village. So is it possible to conclude that money does not equal happiness? Abraham Maslow created the “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs”, in which he presented five stages of basic needs that needed to be fulfilled in order to feel motivated, which can be transferred into the thinking of happiness. The five stages were 1.Physiological needs 2.Safety 3.Love/Belonging 4. Esteem 5.Self-actualization...
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...The world today revolves around one thing: money. Money makes and defines society, however it is debated wether or not that much influence has a positive or negative effect. Money however, is not the key to a happy and prosperous life. People and experiences influence ones life much more than money ever could. Money creates a sense of importance and a constant comparison to everyone around. Although money can bring forth many glamorous things to someone's life, this does not influence the phycological well being of a person, therefore money is not happiness. Money does not directly buy happiness, it simply distracts one from their true source of happiness. In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s speech, titled “The Drum Major Instinct”, King goes into detail about how when people obtain money, it creates a sense of entitlement and an “I'm better than him” mind set. Money leads to a constant comparison of people to themselves. Even back in the 1950s when the Civil Right movement was stirring in America, people used money as a way to compare themselves to the less fortunate. Money was an object used to wave in another's face to attempt to get a reaction....
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...the pursuit of happiness, which is composed on the Declaration of Independence. A strong statement adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress had just laid the corner stone of "their" new country named the United States of America. The composers had in mind that all men are created equal and should be able to enjoy the same free and opportunity filled lifestyle. Although, well thought out and detailed in manner, the issue now viewed is what was considered a man at the current time. The introduction of the slave-trade showed a clear divide in the opinion. The thought process at that time has drastically impacted the black community to present. The Declaration of Independence states all individuals are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but does not explain the start dates are different for separate races. Strongly due to slavery and the consequences thereof, which include lack of education and unsupported financial stability have impacted black livelihood for over the past 200 years and also prove that the rights in this document were not meant for all races....
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...they are signing up for. Anil Netto quoted in the article titled “Health-Asia: Ethics in Outsourcing Drug Trials Questioned,” that by doing these clinical trials in foreign countries, drug companies are “exploiting the healthy who are strapped for cash and the sick who seek cheap or free remedies.” In regards to the utilitarian theory, testing drugs in foreign countries would prove to be unethical. Utilitarianism more specifically act utilitarianism tells us that we should always do an action that generates the greatest happiness for whoever is affected by the act. In act utilitarianism one must consider all consequences of a singular action, and then act if and only if that action maximizes utility for all affected. This type of utilitarianism only has us answer one specific question which is “does this specific action maximize happiness or utility for all parties affected?” Although clinical trials may be useful in finding new drugs and could maximize happiness by doing so. In a way yes, clinical trials could help the medical world and patients, but are the consequences and side effects of these trials worth the risk? In the article stated above, Netto states although clinical trials are supposed to follow specific guidelines, but “these official guidelines are not binding...
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...Equality = Happiness? I am in my essay going to write about equality and happiness. I will mainly focus on the UK and the US. I am going to discuss if happiness and longevity go hand in hand and I will furthermore discuss whether happiness and equality goes hand in hand. To do this, I would have to have some background material, and therefore I have brought the two texts “Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth” and “Some more equal than others” from the book Aware of the World. First, though, I would like to briefly sum up the two texts. The first text, “Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth”, is about some studies that shows that the people of Denmark consider themselves some of the happiest people on earth. Some of the main points in the text are, that it doesn’t matter whether you are a garbage man or a lawyer, just as long as you are happy. The second text, “Some more equal than others”, is about the fact that wealth doesn’t always go hand in hand with equality as US and UK are some of the richest countries in the world, but also some of the countries in the world with most inequality. So, here we are. The million-dollar question of the evening. Does equality and happiness go hand in hand? Do any of these aforementioned points go hand in hand at all? Some might say. Some even say, that happiness complements longevity and gives you a richer life. And of course it does – doesn’t it? I think that if you are happy, and like the way, your life has formed it self, you will...
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...Does money bring us happiness? Sharon Bogley is an author whom writes about science for publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek. Accordingly to her the correlation between wealth and happiness is very complex. It all depends on the situation that they are in. Bogley believes that once basic needs are met then other stuff such as social relationships and satisfaction at work become more important in life. Bogley provides many examples of different situations in her passage, “Money and Happiness” for instance; economists believe that more money you have, the happier you must be. The question then arises is the economist bias? Since his or her job is revolved around the effect and worth of money, it may influence his views between the relationship of money and happiness. This example is very situational because he or she is obviously going to favor money equals happiness for the reason that without the presence of money his or her job is meaningless....
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...many things stood out that these countries may not know what they are signing up for. Anil Netto quoted in the article titled “Health-Asia: Ethics in Outsourcing Drug Trials Questioned,” that by doing these clinical trials in foreign countries, drug companies are “exploiting the healthy who are strapped for cash and the sick who seek cheap or free remedies.” In regards to the utilitarian theory, testing drugs in foreign countries would prove to be unethical. Utilitarianism more specifically act utilitarianism tells us that we should always do an action that generates the greatest happiness for whoever is affected by the act. In act utilitarianism one must consider all consequences of a singular action, and then act if and only if that action maximizes utility for all affected. This type of utilitarianism only has us answer one specific question which is “does this specific action maximize happiness or utility...
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...Utilitarianism— A Flawed Moral Theory Utilitarianism is an ethical theory founded by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. This theory stresses the greatest happiness principle. Actions that promote happiness are seen as morally acceptable while things that fail to promote happiness are seen as morally unacceptable. The pursuit of happiness is the key concept in utilitarianism. Rachel’s further explains this idea in The Right Thing to Do, “Utilitarianism is the theory that we should always try to bring about as much happiness as possible”(Rachels, 40). The term happiness when used by Rachels means the absence of pain or the presence of pleasure. I will argue against the theory of utilitarianism simply because it is too demanding and directly conflicts with moral common sense. At first glance, utilitarianism seems like an acceptable theory. The idea of promoting happiness is simple and widely appealing. Unfortunately, utilitarianism is not as simple as it seems. The concept should be rejects as it is not morally plausible. The first objection with the theory stems from the general structure where it directly conflicts with moral common sense. Using utilitarianism, when there are two different options being considered, moral common sense is one option, while utilitarianism is the opposite option. An example of this is seen while riots occur. Suppose riots are occurring in a town because citizens are being killed by an unknown suspect. As the person in charge, there...
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...prerevolutionary China, wealth is perceived as one of the more important ideals in society, and it is something that multitudes of people get caught up in. The cliché, “wealth does not equal happiness”, is often ignored, and money, social class, and power are the only things people associate with success. Through reading The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck, one may find a major theme that is present throughout the novel, is that wealth could erode traditional values. This is proven by Wang Lung’s experiences in the novel, for as he grew in prestige and wealth, his original values, such as his ardent attachment to the land, his...
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...Jeremy Bentham was an English philosopher and political radical. He is primarily known today for his moral philosophy, especially his principle of utilitarianism, which evaluates actions based upon their consequences. The relevant consequences, in particular, are the overall happiness created for everyone affected by the action. Influenced by many enlightenment thinkers, especially empiricists such as John Locke and David Hume, Bentham developed an ethical theory grounded in a largely empiricist account of human nature. He famously held a hedonistic account of both motivation and value according to which what is fundamentally valuable and what ultimately motivates us is pleasure and pain. Happiness, according to Bentham, is thus a matter of experiencing pleasure and lack of pain. Objective Value: Pain & Pleasure and Moral Naturalism For Bentham, morals can be described naturally and scientifically rather than as any duties imposed by a god, but such a description requires an account of human nature. Just as Bentham thinks nature is explained through reference to the laws of physics, and not through appeal to any religious ideas, so human behaviour can be explained by reference to the two natural, primary motives of pleasure and pain; this is the theory of psychological hedonism. There is, Bentham admits, no direct proof of such an analysis of human motivation—though he holds that it is clear that, in acting, all people implicitly refer to it. At the beginning of the Introduction...
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...jobs or even become very successful and make an above-average income. The infrastructure of our society revolves around money, so we are constantly bombarded with the importance of obtaining it. We are planted on the path of school and over the years it gradually directs our minds to pursue a profession in which to make a living. Society also sets the norm, from advertisements of expensive products to celebrities and wealthy role models, we become to think that financial success is the source of all happiness. Almost all goods and services can be acquired with wealth so there is a reason why we are driven towards money. Many believe the sole reason for wealth is to bring happiness and to fulfill the things you enjoy. What is not known is that there is a limit to money’s power to provide happiness. There is a point in which financial success no longer provides happiness. As we build up finances we acquire the necessities and even extra needs and wants in life that do provide happiness, but beyond a certain point, we begin feeling pressured to achieve more. Money brings happiness when we are starting along, building up to financial stability. When we start from nothing to something we understand that the money is rewarding. Our needs and wants are being fulfilled giving a sense of accomplishment as well as enjoyment of the item or service received through money. You can see it when a child gets a toy that they want. They nag or gesture signifying their want for it. They are working...
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...Answer: | x | That if we say that it would be wrong to perform experiments on such humans but not on non-humans then we are showing bias based upon species alone | | | | That a good speciesist would not perform experiments on any being | | | | That we should test upon mentally disabled human infants because the results would be more reliable than tests on animals | | | | That anyone who would consider testing on a human infant is a monster | | Instructor Explanation: | The answer can be found on p. 6 of Peter Singer’s “All Animals are Equal.” | | | | Points Received: | 1 of 1 | | Comments: | | | | Question 2. | Question : | Peter Singer’s “basic principles of equality” applied to animals means: | | | Student Answer: | | Animals should be given all the same rights as human beings. | | | x | Animals are not entitled to not all the same rights but to an equal consideration of interests. | | | | Animals should not be given the same moral consideration because they are do not have the same power to reason as humans. | | | | Animals do not have rights unless they can demonstrate the same abilities as humans. | | Instructor Explanation: | The answer can...
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...Larry Chapman Business Ethics Exam Two The Stakeholder theory of a firm is made up into equal percentages on a pie chart, which is made up of Financials, Suppliers, Employees, Customers and Communities. The Stockholder theory of a firm is made up by a pyramid structure consisting of Labor, Management, CEO, Board and Stockholders. I believe the Stakeholder theory is less ethical than the stockholder theory in terms of Libertarianism and Egoism. Libertarianism view points are that there is no direct harm, not infringing on rights, not breaking the laws, government protection only, free market and charity. The Egoism viewpoint is to maximize long-term self-interest. The Stakeholder Theory is less ethical from the Libertarianism viewpoint, because there are some major concerns that don’t agree with their principles. The first principle it breaches is no-direct harm, because it does cause direct harm. The theory causes direct harm by having everybody set as equal to the firm, but in reality the creditors and shareholders are above everybody. I believe this causes harm in that you have to pay back your creditors and shareholders back first, because without them there would not be a company and if you don’t pay them their higher percentage they will not re-invest inside the company, which will cause the direct harm to the pie by causing the equal pie pieces to be broken up and forcing the company to shutdown due to default. This theory also infringes on the rights of the Financials...
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