IELTS Writing task 2 | Happiness

Happiness is one of the most important things in life, and yet it is almost impossible to define due to the fact that it is completely subjective, and unique to individuals. However, in order to achieve happiness, there are some broad factors that most people require, and these are based around the fulfilment of human needs. This essay will explain the difficulty in defining happiness, and explore some of the broad aspects which can contribute to achieving it.

Defining happiness is highly problematic due to its individual nature. One approach used by many economists has been to approximate happiness to the standard of living, which is defined by material wealth.  However, wealth and happiness are not the same thing: for certain individuals, greater wealth will indeed result in increased happiness, but for many people, other issues are more important. One definition that has been applied is based around a person’s perceived quality of life, which accounts for personal differences, and accepts that there is not a single definition of happiness.

An individual’s quality of life is affected by a range of important factors. Socially, friends, family, and a spouse are all essential for someone to feel a sense of belonging and to feel loved.  People also need to be given status and esteem, which may be obtained through material wealth, an important job, or power and responsibility. Finally, people need to feel that they are constantly improving themselves, and progressing with their life in a meaningful way. At some level, most people must meet each of these needs to some extent in order to feel happy.

In conclusion, happiness is impossible to define due to its subjective nature, although the standard of living is definitely a less satisfactory definition than quality of life. It is also determined by a mixture of factors, with the priority given to each of these depending on the individual. Of these factors, the main ones required by most people are meeting their social needs, achieving an acceptable level of social status, and feeling that their lives are constantly improving.

Word count: 344

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Happiness is considered very important in life.

Why is happiness difficult to define?

What factors are important in achieving happiness?

Happiness is one of the most important things in life, and yet it is almost impossible to define due to the fact that it is completely subjective, and unique to individuals. However, in order to achieve happiness, there are some broad factors that most people require, and these are based around the fulfillment of human needs. This essay will explain the difficulty in defining happiness and explore some of the broad aspects which can contribute to achieving it.

Defining happiness is deeply problematic due to its individual nature. One approach used by many economists has been to approximate happiness to the standard of living, which is defined by material wealth.

However wealth and happiness are not the same thing: for certain individuals greater wealth will indeed result in increased happiness but for many people other issues are more important. One definition that has been applied is based around a person’s perceived quality of living, which accounts for personal differences, and accepts that there is not a single definition of happiness.

An individual’s quality of life is affected by a range of important factors. Socially, friends, family, and a spouse are all essential for someone to feel a sense of belonging and to feel loved.  People also need to be given status and esteem, which may be obtained through material wealth, an important job, or power and responsibility. Finally, people need to feel that they are constantly improving themselves and progressing with their life in a meaningful way. At some level, most people must meet each of these needs to some extent in order to feel happy.

In conclusion, happiness is impossible to define due to its subjective nature, although the standard of living is definitely a less satisfactory definition than quality of living. It is also determined by a mixture of factors, with the priority given to each of these depending on the individual. Of these factors, the main ones required by most people are meeting their social needs, achieving an acceptable level of social status, and feeling that their lives are constantly improving.

Word count: 344