The argument for Happiness

To prepare for this argument, we have read a couple articles on happiness research, and discussed the themes of these pieces. We also watched a TED talk on happiness, and I’ve offered a couple others (one by Martin Seligman on Positive Psychology, and one by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on Flow). We’ve discussed some of the happiness interventions designed by researchers like Seligman, and talked about the three kinds of happiness in life, the Pleasant Life, the Engaged or Good Life, and the Meaningful Life.

Now, to draft this paper, please do the following:

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get Your Custom Essay on
The argument for Happiness
Just from $13/Page
Order Essay

1. Choose at least two of the articles on happiness research to discuss.
2. Having thought about these happiness argument, brainstorm an argument you want to make about this topic. What do you think makes for a happy life?
3. Now draft an essay with an introduction that mentions the articles, and includes a thesis that states the main points of your argument.
4. The first part of the paper should review the two Happiness articles/Ted talks you choose, and mention their strengths and weaknesses.
5. The second part should make at least three or four strong points about happiness. Ideally, these points should include your own issues, beliefs, and practices, but also consider happiness issues for Americans in general. And this part can include other research or evidence.
a. What do you think would make for an ideal way to live in order to be happy? How do you define happiness?
b. What obstacles do you find that prevent you (or most people) from being happy, or happier?
c. What about your current life habits works for you? What doesn’t work for you? Consider what interventions might work, and perhaps try one or two!
6. Finally, write a conclusion that shows where this argument might go. What implications can you draw from what you have written? What will you do, or not do? What would you like to say to your audience?

When you quote or paraphrase sources, use MLA format, and include an MLA style Works Cited page at the end of your essay.