America: founded on "creating a better life" has not changed its ways. It is still a country where the people residing in it depend on money. They depend on it for basic necessities as well as personal simulation. Money has become the key to unlock happiness in America. It is an ultimate goal of people.
For example, an average student spend nearly all of their developmental years as a part of the educational system. They use it as a tool to work their way up. It is a common belief that if one spends time working and studying hard in school that they'll make it into college where they'll attain a degree that qualifies them for a high paying job.
I do not disagree that the educational system in America can help one achieve their goals and attain a job that will fulfill their needs or wants. However, I do not believe it is the only way. Is it worth it to spend time and money succeeding in the educational system in order to be "rich"? Why can't people be considered rich if they live in a house and help their community become a better place? Why do so many people strive to have money? Why do we assume that it will fill any holes that have been dug during our life times?
The again, who I am I to determine what makes someone happy? If a person is the first one in their family to go to college and graduate, wouldn't that make them happy? Maybe money does make someone happy? They may not have had it their entire life and after working hard to get it, they now have it. It buys them all of the commodities they never fathomed having before, and provides a sense of security.
What if someone worked as hard as they could to climb to the top, but on the way, failed? Did their education teach them to have enough grit to get back up and try again? Or will they lie content with their failure and not try again? Would they view the situation as a lesson learned? or fall into the web of fortune?
One of Seneca's many teachings was that excess may not be the key. He quoted, “It is quality rather than quantity that matters.” How many people are achieving happiness by working towards a good quality of oife rather than the quantity of things they have?
Are those of us working towards the common goal of a set career with a high paying salary in a rush to reach the destination? Are we truly enjoying the journey?
Will money make us happy when we have it? What will we work for then?
To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school…it is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. – Henry David Thoreau
I liked how you used America as an example of a place where money is supposed to bring happiness. I thought it was interesting how you talked about how the american educational system sets students up to get a job or to make money, when they should really be helping kids find what makes them happy. I also enjoyed how you questioned the reader at the end and how the questions flowed together. Great Job! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally understand where your coming from. I think about this all the time. After all the work we put in will we actually be happy with the result? Id like to think we will.
ReplyDeleteGreat questioning and thinking about the relationship between money and happiness. However, it's not clear to me what philosopher, i.e. either Epicurus or Seneca, was stimulating your thinking. Please reference the philosopher and cite a passage next time.
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