(855) 4-ESSAYS

Type a new keyword(s) and press Enter to search

The Surprising Science of Happiness

            Dan Gilbert has a fascinating speech titled "The Surprising Science of Happiness"(Gilbert). Gilbert uses proven studies and reputable writers and poets of different views on happiness. Explaining; why and how we are happy, the duties of the frontal lobe, synthetic happiness and a comparison to natural happiness. We all have the capability to be happy, no matter our circumstances. Whether you are a lottery winner of 2014 or became a paraplegic in 2014 your happiness is equal (Gilbert). But when looking to the future, we would see this as preposterous. We would not think twice if we had to choose between one or the other. This is because we fall into a scary place called "Impact Bias" (Gilbert). The impact bias makes us see things as better or worse then they really are. While becoming paralyzed is a thought we do not want to even think about studies show after a year it dose not effect your happiness at all. One part of our brain causes all of these things called the prefrontal cortex.
             Inside our brain is a prefrontal cortex, also called a frontal lobe. Gilbert acknowledges that the frontal lobe is a huge multitasking part of the brain but he says, "one of the most important things it does is an experience simulator." (Gilbert). This means the prefrontal cortex gives us the ability to experience the future before it happens. When we simulate a experience like a break up or a promotion at work we have to be careful not to fall into impact bias and make it seem worse or greater then it truly is. Our impact bias can be used to crate synthetic happiness. Synthetic happiness which allows us to accept and be happy with the things we can not change. Sir Thomas Browne states "I am the happiest man alive. I have that in me that can convert poverty to riches. Adversity to prosperity. And I am more invulnerable than Achilles; fortune hath not one place to hit me" (Gilbert).


Essays Related to The Surprising Science of Happiness

1. The Need for Belonging

When Candide finds happiness by keeping so busy he leaves his mind no time to wander, we are left with an ambiguous message: clearly Voltaire advocates questioning, yet he condemns the merit of intellectual reasoning. ... Not surprisingly, this "anti-romantic" school of thought emphasized a focus on concrete truth, with minimal personal interpretation. ... As Ivan becomes increasingly detached from the race for perfection he thought gave his life meaning, he simultaneously gradually embraces a simpler, basic lifestyle which brings him clarity, and ultimately happiness. ... Kafka, in The Me...

  • Word Count: 953
  • Approx Pages: 4
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

2. A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

With an intellectual tone: Brave New World reflects on the reality we live in, a world plagued by war, famine, terrorism, where perhaps what is most desired by man is happiness and social stability. ... If we take notice, we will see that the author describes a word similar to ours, but the surprising thing is that this  novel was written in 1932. ... The book represents the positions creationist and evolutionist, point of view of science, considering the religion as something incompatible with technological development.In my opinion, I disagree with this perspective of this book, not because...

  • Word Count: 773
  • Approx Pages: 3
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

3. The Theory of Evolution- The Great Debate

Despite his lack of formal education, young Huxley read voraciously in science, history, and philosophy, and taught himself German. ... It's too hot to sleep, and my sole amusement consists in watching the cockroaches, which are in a state of intense excitement and happiness. Despite the excited cockroaches and the poor science facilities on board, Huxley collected and studied marine invertebrates. ... Professional positions in science were rare at the time but Huxley managed to support himself on a stipend from the Navy and by writing popular science articles. ... Perhaps surprisingly...

  • Word Count: 1575
  • Approx Pages: 6

4. Frankie

Art, science, literature, society As science and technology were rapidly improving, the previously drawn limits to human power were beginning to be erased. ... Slowly, happiness dawns once again on Frankenstein's life. ... Surprisingly, he is intelligent and thoughtful. ... Light, feeling, and sense will pass away; and in this condition I must find happiness". ...

  • Word Count: 1475
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Adam Smith and the Wealth of Nations

Perspectives gained during this time inspired Smith's work on "Wealth of Nations" Smith showed surprising conclusions during his time, when he applied scientific principles to economic behavior. ... In Adam's opinion, each person has the right to the pursuit of happiness, and that each person has to take it in their own hands to advance within society. ... Smith in return says that new technology creates new jobs by expanding the limits of manufacturing and science. ... In this area, Smith's ideas are also the correct and true, because of that new technology the limits of so...

  • Word Count: 1265
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Has Bibliography

6. Frankenstein and We Need to Talk About Kevin

The quote 'happiness isn't dull it just doesn't tell well', displays this ambiguous attitude towards life. ... In fact she now states she would give anything for a 'boring existence'; happiness may be dull after all or, at least, misery may be harder to take for granted. ... It is not surprising then that Frankenstein reproduces that brutality. ... These debates between religion and science are raging today. ...

  • Word Count: 1673
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. Adapting to Life in a Changing World

On the other hand, the movie Forrest Gump focuses on a man with an intellectual disability going through surprising life adventure which reveals the characters' traits and valuable life lessons through the way the characters dealing with the changes. ... The rapid development in science and technology might have been new for some people and these people were usually isolated and closed to any changes indeed. ... They also look at the idea that if you take a risk, you may find happiness, fitting and meaning in a specific place or time or in the case of Forrest Gump, in love with a specific...

  • Word Count: 1557
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Has Bibliography

8. Body Image

Surprisingly, corsets have been worn since the Minoans and fashionable women of Tiryns and Thebes. ... They keep trudging on toward that beautiful thin bronzed body that everyone says is the meaning of perfection and happiness. ...

  • Word Count: 2215
  • Approx Pages: 9
  • Grade Level: High School

Got a writing question? Ask our professional writer!
Submit My Question