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If different people are asked about their definition of meaningful and well-lived life, it is a fact that people will have unlike responses. Whereas many people find the peace of mind as the major happiness; for some, money is the most important thing required to stay happy, successful and relaxed (Dunleavey).
There are several reasons why money can buy happiness. To begin with, wealthy people buy happiness by sharing their money with others in the forms of charities, donations, funds etc. This is perhaps the most satisfying way to get happiness through money. According to research conducted by the Chicago Booth School of Business, “people who came into a windfall of money reported increased happiness the more they spent that windfall on others” (Sekar). Another way to buy happiness is to spend it on a stress-free trip with the loved ones. This surely makes people happier and relaxed when they have enough money to spend on vacations (Chalmers 204). Thirdly, money can buy time that ultimately makes people happy. When people spend money to decrease their travelling time by moving closer to offices, it surely makes them less stressed and happier. Similarly, when maids are hired to help around the house or assistants are employed to take care of the unexciting tasks, people eventually have more time for themselves which makes them blissful and pleased. Extra income and purchased time also let people enjoy their leisure hours. Thus, it can be said that money can surely but happiness and this can have the most momentous impact on one’s comfort, health and interests.
On the other hand, it can be said that money and happiness have nothing to do with each other. This is because even piles of currency cannot make people pleased and content with their lives. If truth be told, money cannot be regarded as a major source to bring happiness in one’s life (Bruni 343). Even the most affluent people have painful memories and experiences that cannot be understood by the ones who have no means to reach the status enjoyed by the former. Thus, one’s happiness can only be measured by the way money is used. According to Aristotle, “money as an end in itself was dehumanizing” (King & Napa 157). Thus, it can be said that it is a favor of the Almighty if someone has got money in his pockets. It has nothing to do with morality or being a good person. Thus, good and a well-lived life have nothing to do with monetary benefits attained and enjoyed by any human being. A well-lived life is one wherein a person enjoys the moral goodness, a sense of conscience and “not only the amount of meaningful activity engaged in but also the amount of happiness the person enjoys” (King & Napa 164). When money is compared with meaningful purpose, morality and happiness, it can be observed that the former has little value in life.
Works Cited
Bruni, Luigino. Handbook on the Economics of Happiness. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2007. Print.
Chalmers, W. D. America's Vacation Deficit Disorder: Who Stole Your Vacation?. Bloomington: iUniverse, 2013. Print.
Dunleavey, M. P. Money can Buy Happiness: How to Spend to Get the Life You Want. New York: Broadway Books, 2007. Print.
King, Laura A., & Christie K. Napa. "What Makes A Life Good?." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 75.1 (1998): 156-165. Print.
Sekar, A. "How money CAN buy you happiness." NY Daily News. N.p., 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 9 Feb. 2014. <http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/money-buy-happiness-article-1.1458890>.
