Can the simple things in life bring us pleasure and happiness, or do we need more? Epicurus teaches us that with the essential things in life – friendship, freedom, and thought – people are able to achieve happiness. Social media convinces people that happiness has to be purchased, and that money is an important piece to the puzzle called happiness. The happiness that people get from the items they buy is temporary. Pleasure and happiness don’t need to be expensive, however people want them to be.
Some people believe that no amount of money will make you happy, while others will say, “Money makes you happy. You just have to know what to do with it.” Others may not agree with the concept of money bringing happiness and rather prefer the company of family and friends. Depending upon the person and the circumstances within their life, money could bring them happiness or just be another object in their lives that they take for granted. For people who struggle to pay bills, buy food for their families, or pay their college tuition money will absolutely bring them happiness because with the money they are able to have essential things in life. However, people like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton are consumed by money and have “money sufficient to allow one to live on the interest of the interest (48).”
Money can be positive by giving choices and freedom. Also through allowing people to live a life free of financial concern. The moment money is viewed as negative is when people let it dominate their lives. “Happiness may be difficult to attain. The obstacles are not primarily financial. (71)”
Do you feel influenced by our culture's fixation with material wealth? Or do you feel you've been able to strike a balance?
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