Happiness

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Happiness
What is happiness? For thousands of years, human beings have tried to answer this question, yet there is no conclusive definition of what is happiness. Many have said that happiness is having peace of mind whereas others think it is having a lot of material possession. However, regardless of the differences in what amounts to happiness, it seems everyone is pursuing happiness. In light of this reality, two authors have sought to address the issue through their works. One of the works is “peace of mind is the ultimate goal” by Douglas Todd in which the author analyses the views of different philosophers regarding the topic of happiness. Douglas looks into the views of Charles Hartshorne, Aristotle, Dalai Lama and other classical philosophers and theologians. The other work is “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In this second work, the author highlights the American lifestyle in the early 1920s and the pursuit of empty happiness. Therefore, the two authors have a commonality on the topic of happiness but differ in the way each expresses the issue.
Douglas notes that Hartshorne believes that both animals and human beings are in constant pursuit of fulfillment. For instance, he says that birds like singing as a way of finding joy. However, for human beings, the pursuit of happiness is bit complex considering that people have different goals in life. Coincidentally, this is also evident in the Great Gatsby as the author portrays a society characterized by a desire for wealth and pleasure.

There is a rise in secular music, social events, and materialism. The main character in the book even goes ahead to steal to impress a woman (Fitzgerald & Bruccoli 4). All this shows how people strive for happiness through various means. Both authors also highlight the need to base happiness on ethics. In this regard, Douglas says the pursuit of material possession alone cannot bring long-lasting happiness, views which are supported by Aristotle, Dalai Lama, and other classical philosophers. Fitzgerald also confirms this when he says the American dream of happiness collapsed in the wake of overarching cynicism, scramble for wealth and pleasure hence no fulfillment.
Unlike in the work of Fitzgerald, Douglas further explores the psychological aspect of happiness when he highlights the views of some scholars who say that happiness is three diverse conditions. In this respect, happiness is a state of mind, a trait, and a skill. With regards to a trait, some individuals have a genetic advantage that makes them naturally happier than others. As a skill, the scholars believe that people can learn to be happy. Lastly, as a state of mind, Dalai Lama says people can achieve happiness by controlling their emotions. This means that people should maintain a balance between ups and downs in their thoughts (Todd 1).
In conclusion, both works talk about happiness however in a different way. Douglas Todd is straightforward in his approach whereas Fitzgerald uses a story revolving around the love of a man and woman to express the American dream of individualism, search of happiness, and discovery. In a number of ways both authors agree that human beings easily go off track while in search of fulfillment due to the lure of money and material possession. Consequently, they both advocate for the search of happiness to be founded on values and ethics. Douglas goes ahead to explain how this can be achieved under happiness as a skill and as a state of mind.
Works Cited
Fitzgerald, F S, and Matthew J. Bruccoli. The Great Gatsby. 1996.
Todd, Douglas. “Peace of mind is the ultimate goal.” Vancouver Sun,