The Geography Of Bliss By Eric Weiner Essay

1746 Words Dec 14th, 2016 7 Pages
The pursuit of meaning
"Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" the most well known phrase from our Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers put an emphasis on the importance of happiness and believed it was vital to a functioning society. The insertion of this phrase gave birth to the American dream, and inspired millions. We all seek happiness, there is no denying that. However, what is happiness or what makes people happy, differs from person to person and place to place. In The Geography of bliss by Eric Weiner, Weiner visits the so called happiest countries on earth, in search for why these countries are “happy” but his ulterior motive is to find happiness within himself. One of many countries that Weiner visits is Switzerland, the source of Switzerland’s happiness seems to be in the belief in conformity. Whereas, when Weiner visits Qatar he concludes Qatar’s happiness derives from monetary wealth and demonstrating that wealth in materialism. On the one hand, Switzerland has a very similar version of happiness has my basketball team at Foothill, uniformity, humbleness, and selflessness are all virtues that my team prides itself on. However, Qatar is quite the contrast to the fundamentals of my basketball team. In fact, monetary wealth, arrogance, and boasting are all forbidden on the court and locker room. The Declaration of Independence is the basis too many of it’s kind and the “pursuit of happiness” will forever be a goal of every nation, if it is…

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