Pursuit of Happiness
Part One
Happiness is something that is desired by all people. Everyone yearns to be happy and will go to great lengths to pursue what makes them happy. People pursue happiness by meeting a romantic partner that makes them happy or pursuing their career goals. Some people find their happiness in having and raising children while others find their happiness engaging in physical activity. Happiness is a feeling but it is also a drive or a need. People are driven to be happy and being happy is a need of many. People have more success when they are happy and are doing things to pursue what makes them happy.
Being happy and the emotion of happiness can be obtained. Happiness is an emotion but it can also be a way of life. According to Maslow (1964) pursuing happiness simply involves fulfilling the person's hierarchy of needs. For example if the first hierarchy of safety is fulfilled the person can move on to pursue the fulfillment of the next level of need which makes them happy. Happiness involves enjoyment and a feeling of euphoria. While what makes people happy is different obtaining happiness is possible if the person creates a life they love and enjoy. No one is everyone everyday but can create an environment where they pursue their dreams or what makes them happy.
Part Two
People differ in their interpretation of happiness because every person is different and has different goals, beliefs, and attitudes. In one culture happiness may come from pursuing the ability to achieve the "American Dream" but in another treating people with respect and deference makes people happy. Because the world is made up of different people with different, goals, dreams, and needs different people find happiness through different pursuits.
Happiness is viewed differently by different philosophers. Aristotle found happiness is a Long term pursuit occurring overtime while 9th century philosopher William James finds happiness only comes after suffering (White, 2014). Happiness is a personal pursuit that changes from person to person. What makes one person happy could make another person unhappy. Overtime what makes a person happy changes. The young have a different idea of what makes them happy. For example the young want to have fun and pursue things they enjoy while someone in middle age my find spending time with family makes them happy.