High income improves evaluation of life Essay Example for Free

High income improves evaluation of life Essay The premise that â€Å"Money buys happiness† is a one that is misconstrued by many in the pursuit of happiness. The perspective that having money creates happiness has been assessed by many from timely memorial but alas studies have shown that it is relative to the status and class of the individual and also the amount of money which one earns or possesses. Happiness can be defined as the state of mind or emotions based on a particular circumstance and feeling at a particular time. There are different interpretations of happiness. Contentment is a state of happiness and satisfaction or ease of mind. The well-being of an individual is a reflection of happiness and can be assessed by the subjective and emotional well-being of that individual. Money can be classified as an asset, property or resources owned by an individual or just currency which can be used to purchase goods and services. Subjective well-being is defined as a person’s cognitive and affective evaluations of his or her life. Subjective well-being (SWB) is defined as \a person\s cognitive and affective evaluations of his or her life\ (Diener, Lucas, Oshi, 2002). To truly evaluate whether money buys happiness or if there is a correlation between having money and being happy an in-depth study would need to be conducted. Studies have therefore been conducted by researchers who have done surveys to assess the socio-economic standard of living of various persons in society and also evaluating the third world versus a first world living improvement after acquiring a degree of wealth or additional income. The empirical data from the Gallup research organization using the Gallup- Healthways Well-Being index have shown that an increase in emotional well-being is exponentially related to an increase in income. However, that correlation is directly proportional to the degree of increase and size of the income. Surveys have been conducted in third world countries like Jamaica where per capita income is much lower than a first world country like the United Kingdom or Britain or the United States of America. The skilled labor force in third world countries with the requisite professional qualifications has a level of income acquisition and potential to earn and live a comfortable life which contributes to the lifestyle which has been sought after in the betterment of the professional individual’s status and quality of life. However social class and inequalities exist and the potential earning power decreases with the individual’s lack of skill and qualifications. A contradiction, however, exists where an individual from the Rural Area is compared with one from the urban townships. Many persons who have not been exposed to the urban cultures and opulent surroundings of the major cities have expressed happiness and contentment with their station and status in life as they enjoy their routines of farming lifestyles on rural plantations with their â€Å"low level† of income. One can, therefore, surmise that not experiencing another level or change in status can contribute to ones perceived the degree of subjective well-being and happiness. If one is not aware of riches he or she will not be able to recognize poverty. However, with the technological advancements and the Westernization of most countries, the United States of American and the country’s high standard of living has been portrayed as the pivotal ambivalent expression of what wealth and happiness should be. Therefore many continue to strive to achieve this pinnacle of success in the acquisition of more money to generate the peak of happiness. The resulting dilemma without insightful perspective is the unavailability of first world opportunities to achieve and acquire significantly more income to obtain the type of wealth and lifestyle portrayed by the Western Media. Research by the Gallup Healthways well-being index indicates that emotional well-being is directly proportional to the level of income one earns. The researchers theorize that beyond an annual income of $75000 there is no change in emotional well-being and therefore no increase in happiness as a result of any upward movement in income. There is, therefore, a level of satisfaction with the high degree of income but not overwhelming happiness. On the other hand, low-income earners have an exponentially low level of life satisfaction and love emotional well-being. Having a large income provides the means to afford greater luxuries in life, desired comfort, and fulfillment. It provides status in life, access to greater health care and References Kahneman, D, and A Deaton. (2010). High income improves evaluation of life but not emotional well-being. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107 (38): 16489-16493. Diener, E. Biswas-Diener, R. Social Indicators Research (2002)

The Influence of Jean Jacques Rousseau Essay -- essays research papers

Eighteenth-century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau influenced many French revolutionaries with his ideas. In the time of the Enlightenment, people believed that humankind could progress and improve through the use of reason and science. One of them was French artist Jacques-Louis David, who was official artist to the French revolution (p158, Blk 3). Just as Rousseau had used his publications to reflect on his ideas, David had used art as a media to reflect the ideas and values of the society in the eighteenth century. In this essay, we will be examining the influence of Rousseau’s views on the relationship between the state and the individual in David’s painting â€Å"The Oath of the Horatii†. Rousseau’s publication, The Social Contract, states that â€Å"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains†. His belief is that everyone is equal and nobody has authority over anyone else. This was the source of the revolutionaries’ ideas (p96 Blk 3). In order to be free while ‘living in society’, Rousseau’s solution is that the individual adopts the general will. This view is also reflected in David’s painting â€Å"The Oath of the Horatii†. David’s Neoclassical style was austere and reflected on reason and the clear moral principles of Rousseau’s ideas. â€Å"The Oath of the Horatii† depicts the presenting of arms from Horatius to his sons. This demonstrates an act of patriotism as one of the brothers and the sister was related by marriage to the enemy Curiatii. He draws on the classical story by the ancient historian Livy, to reflect patriotism and selflessness. The story would have been familiar to the educated contemporaries of David, and this kind of knowledge was important to the Enlightenment (p166, Blk 3). The particular point where the brothers choose between the country and their personal desires deliberately sets people thinking about the message of patriotism. It is a representation of a kind of patriotic heroism or duty in which the best interests of society are put before those of the individual (p177, Blk 3). The brothers in choosing to go into battle, has chosen political duty over fa mily allegiance. This reflects Rousseau’s views that the individual puts aside their particular wills and adopts the general will in the interest of the state. The act of selflessness reflects Rousseau’s views of the general will. According to Rousseau, the general will is that wh... ...look on the women. This reflects Rousseau’s view that women should be passive and weak, while men should be active and strong (p96, Blk 3). David’s use of clear bold lines and the austere background seems to reflect simplicity. There is a minimum of distraction in the painting. David even removed the bases on the columns for greater simplicity (TV12). This reflects frugality in an age where luxury is being frowned upon (p.174, Blk 3). Rousseau also believes that it is wrong when people are driven by their own desires. From examining The Oath of the Horatii, it is clear that an art piece can be shaped by the ideas and values of the society and Rousseau’s views had a significant influence in the painting. Rousseau expressed his views in his publications and David had used art as a vehicle for expressing his views in visual form. No of words : 1199 Biliography Open University. Block 3: History, Classicism and Revolution. Milton Keynes: OU Press 1997 An Introduction to the Humanities. Resource Book 2. Milton Keynes: OU Press, 1997 An Introduction to the Humanities. Illustration Book TV12 – Art: A Question of Style The Open University CD5 – AC2334 Part 2 The Open University

George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” Rhetorical Précis Essay

Goerge Orwell, in â€Å"Politics and the English Language†, demonstrates how to effectively express oneself with written language. To do so, Orwell states the â€Å"dos† and â€Å"don’ts† of effective writing. Because the rules for writing effectively are so complex, Orwell utilizes parallel structure to make the body structure of his essay more cohesive: â€Å"†¦ it has nothing to do with archaism†¦ it is especially concerned with the scrapping of†¦ It has nothing to do with correct grammar†¦ it is not concerned with†¦ Nor does it even imply†¦ though it does imply†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Orwell). Orwell interlaces multiple parallel structures to give the body both unity and a back-and-forth feel that keeps the audience on their toes. If he had not done so, his arguments would have quickly become repetitive and monotonous. Although Orwell specifically states that â€Å"correct grammar and syntax†¦ are of no importance†, one can see that he has gone to great lengths to achieve an engaging effect through syntax. The back-and-forth action of the body paragraphs and his self-contradiction alludes to a rule he introduces later in the writing: â€Å"Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous† (Orwell). He then goes on to break a number of his previously stated rules, some more blatantly than others: â€Å"†¦ send some worn-out and useless phrase†¦ into the dustbin† (Orwell). He also uses polysyllabic diction at some points, though he expressly states to â€Å"Never use a long word where a short one will do†. His contradiction of himself may at first leave some readers puzzled, but ultimately establishes the concept that a writer should not be afraid to break conventions to make a point.

Book vs. Movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 1 Words: 432 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2019/04/22 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Harry Potter Essay Did you like this example? There are many differences when most literary works become movies. Usually because the director wants to cut parts out because he does not feel they are important enough to make the final cut. That is usually true for all works that are made into movies. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Book vs. Movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone" essay for you Create order The book will go more into depth about people, things, and places because they have more chapters, characters, and views on certain things than the movies will go into. When J. K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter and the Sorcerers stone and was published in 1997, it became a huge success around the world. The movie was created five years later in 2002. There were differences throughout the two of them as they usually are between literary works and movies. First, one of the big differences are how characters are portrayed and how they appear, such as looks and appearances. Harry Potter in the book is explained as smaller for his age, has a scar, obviously, crazy messy hair, and green hazel eyes. In the movie he does not have the crazy hair, is normal height for his age compared to the others and has blue eyes. Other ones include Ron, Harry Potter best friend, not having a long nose. Where in the book he is described as having a long nose and a little dorky, with red hair and freckles. Also, the Uncle and Aunt, who took Harry Potter in after his parents died, are described as blonde in the book. Details such as these are left out in Hollywood because usually, they do not care about the little details, but they are found by the ones who have read the book. Secondly, some little details in the book versus the movie are how harry potter sees his parents in the mirror when he is snooping around Hogwarts. In the book he sees his whole extended family that has passed on. Another is in the book when they Harry, Ron, And Hermione are going through their tasks to get to the Scorers stone. The movie left out the potion task, in the book Hermione completes a potion task to get through to the next stage. In the movie, she just stays behind to show aid to Ron after they win in the chess game. This just shows how different and certain things will be cut out of a movie. Sometimes they can not see every detail but everyone who has read the book sees it. Sometimes the director cuts out parts that you really liked in the book out of the movie. Showing differences between movies and their books.