Happiness, the Self and Human Flourishing

The author’s viewpoint is most aligned with which of the following statements regarding the relationship between happiness and human flourishing?

• A. Happiness is the sole and definitive measure of human flourishing, and a life should be judged as well-lived in proportion to the amount of subjective happiness it contained

• B. Happiness is an important intrinsic aspect of self-fulfillment and human flourishing, but not the entirety, as meaning, virtue, and reason also play central roles

• C. Any pursuit of happiness detached from moral virtues or objective accomplishments is hollow and hedonistic and thus fails to truly indicate human flourishing. 

• D. While happiness may correlate with well-being, it does not necessarily cause it, as many other objective goods more reliably lead to human thriving in the long term

Based on the information presented in the passage, which of the following hypothetical experimental findings would provide the strongest evidence for the claim that happiness plays an intrinsic role in self-fulfillment and human flourishing?

• A. A study showing people who report higher levels of subjective happiness exhibit greater motivation and engagement in value-aligned activities

• B. Brain imaging showing certain pleasure centers are activated when people make self-affirming moral choices in line with their values

• C. Survey results demonstrating people prioritize happiness above meaning, relationships, knowledge, or virtue in ranking components of a fulfilling life

• D. Interviews with centenarians attributing their long-lasting well-being more to a cheerful disposition than specific accomplishments or ideal living conditions

Based on the information presented in the passage, which of the following best describes the relationship between hedonistic and eudaimonistic conceptions of happiness?

• A. Hedonistic conceptions view happiness as pleasure attainment, while eudaimonistic conceptions see happiness as part of broader self-realization. 

• B. Hedonistic conceptions equate happiness with physical pleasures only, whereas eudaimonistic conceptions include intellectual and emotional pleasures.

• C. Hedonistic conceptions focus on subjective feelings, but eudaimonistic conceptions define happiness in terms of objective list theories.

• D. Hedonistic conceptions value only ephemeral happiness, while eudaimonistic conceptions value long-term sustained happiness.

Based on the passage information, which of the following hypothetical findings would most strengthen the author’s assertion that happiness has intrinsic value as part of self-fulfillment?

• A. A study showing people who cultivate positive emotions through meditation report higher life satisfaction and engagement in meaningful activities.

• B. Survey data indicating people rank happiness as more important for well-being than economic stability, social status, or romantic fulfillment

• C. Cases of individuals who exemplify virtuous ideals and make profound achievements yet report persistent unhappiness

• D. Interviews with healthy elders finding a majority attribute their longevity most to genetics rather than sustained contentment

Based on the passage information, which of the following scenarios would most weaken the author’s assertion that happiness has intrinsic value as an aspect of self-fulfillment?

• A. A longitudinal study showing individuals who experienced trauma-induced depression were able to return to previous happiness levels through antidepressant medication.

• B. Cases of people abandoning meaningful commitments and relationships in order to pursue new activities aligned with increased positive emotions.

• C. Data indicating people who undergo cosmetic procedures and purchases aimed at boosting their mood are no more likely to engage in self-fulfilling behaviors.

• D. Interviews with celebrities finding many attribute their career success more to perseverance and talent than a cheerful, positive attitude.