Answer to Question #163926 in English for zakkiyya

Question

Based on The Happiness Factor by David Brooks

1. In a paragraph of 100 words summarise three main ideas of the text.

2. Based on the passage, do you agree with the factors associated with increased levels of happiness?

write a paragraph of 150 words to present your view.

Answer 1

According to David Brooks’ Happiness Factor, the strength of our unconscious is the real reason we succeed in our careers and relationships. The unconscious mind is vast and plays a seemingly unregistered but influential role in controlling human actions. Personal relationships, which are underestimated, bring a greater value of happiness than money, career and property which humans dwell on. People in long-term marriages are more content than those who are not and the importance of the marriage institution should not be downplayed. Also, the relationship between happiness and money is very weak whereas the relationship between happiness and personal bond is quite strong.

I do not agree with David Brooks’ factors associated with increased levels of happiness. I believe the conscious mind plays a more active and influential role in controlling human action because it encompasses everything within one’s awareness and rationality. Memories, feelings, perceptions and other emotions of our current awareness determine our happiness levels and emanate from the conscious mind. Brooks’ sentiment that there is overemphasis on work, money, property etc. as a source of happiness at the expense of personal relationships, especially marriage is untrue. While some people aim at finding the right partners and getting married, happiness in marriage is dependent on the quality of relationship between spouses rather than longevity and is not guaranteed. Also, many people derive higher happiness levels from building fulfilling careers and other life goals that don't involve marriage. The relationship between money and happiness is very strong. Money possesses the ability to buy happiness levels out of people e.g. one can go places with loved ones, enjoy more nutrition and have more freedom.