Money Can Buy You Happiness

The argument here is that there is no such item as happiness that can be directly bought from the store even now that it is a feeling. Examples here are persons who have all the desired wealth but are still stressed over matters pertaining to the properties. They are able to buy big houses and other luxurious items but cannot afford happiness because it is not an item but a feeling from in within. On the other hand there are lots of poor families that live in happiness due to contentment and socialism cultures. The two examples are a sharp contrast with regards to financial statuses. The desires here range from proper housing, food, clothing, medical care, and the various vacations and gifts that one can ever think of. Anybody capable of acquiring anything he needs or wants is mostly happy and this is where the sole argument lies.

People crave material items at some point in their lives. Money gets them all that and even more (Diener et al 52). Living without worries of shortage or lacking anything an individual desires is a major step towards happiness and money buys all that. This group has everything that they want unlike the poor. They are thus respected in the society and control the current affairs within a state. Everyone desires to be considered among the prime class in a society. This commands the respect that ultimately brings happiness to rich individuals (Powdthavee 81). Money has all to do with the situation and thus brings respect that gives a sense of fulfillment to the richer people. The fulfillment that comes with the interpersonal relations and respect are enhanced by money (Powdthavee 85). Respect is also substantially enhanced by the presence of resources.

This is what stabilizes the stand that money buys happiness. Money Facilitates the Realization of Non-materialistic Desires Humans have non-physical desires that include the assistance of the less fortunate. This is achieved through charity works that can be facilitated by money (Chancellor 19). The donations can go as far as helping even those who are further away. Furthermore, money helps in attaining certain desires that are not materialistic such as paying for treats and holidays in serene environments. As humans, these are things that everyone desires. Perfect examples here are the ample times in exquisite environments are only attainable with cash. Furthermore, every parent, for example, wants to give the very best to their children and family as a whole. It is, therefore, safer to conclude that money translates to buying the delight that ensues after providing for loved ones and engaging in works of charity.

Money and Self Actualization Arguments against the notion that money buys literally everything including happiness have erupted. Money is said to bring humans as close as possible to self-actualization. This stage is best characterized by happiness and intense satisfaction in one’s endeavors. Money enhances the acquisition of things that bring delight (Bartolini 34). That best explains the fact that money cannot buy self-actualization in humans. In today’s world, money gets someone whatever it is that they want to reach the apex of human needs which is self-actualization. A good example is a case of lovers. For their love to grow, there are certain things that happen including the gifting and going for vacations. All these cannot happen in the absence of money and therefore it is money that tentatively enhances the same (Matz et al.

Works cited Bartolini, Stefano.  Manifesto for Happiness: Shifting society from money to well-being. Pennsylvania University Press. Forthcoming, 2014. unisi. apa. org/record/2010-12776-004 Dunn, Elizabeth W. Daniel T. Gilbert, and Timothy D. Wilson. org/2013/06/how-money-actually-buys-happiness (accessed 14 July 2013) (2013). org/2013/06/how-money-actually-buys-happiness Howell, Ryan T. Mark Kurai, and Leona Tam. Money buys financial security and psychological need satisfaction: Testing need theory in affluence.  Social Indicators Research 110. How much does money really matter? Estimating the causal effects of income on happiness.  Empirical economics 39. springer. com/article/10. s00181-009-0295-5.