Summary of the Main Claims
As the object of analysis, the article “Money & Happiness” by Begley (2007) is chosen, which argues that money can bring happiness only in the economic interpretation but not in the psychological one. The amount of savings is a means of realization in life, but this amount is not directly proportional to happiness. As a rationale, the author promotes the idea that choice is a significant factor that a person gets if one has much money (Begley, 2007). Therefore, the path to happiness is the result of personal choices that a person makes throughout life, and money is only a tool. Begley (2007) draws attention to the fact that happiness can be achieved, but it cannot be bought. Therefore, from an economic standpoint, wealth is the ultimate goal, but in the format of human life, well-being is one of the components of happiness but not identical to it.
Claims Interpretation
In Begley’s (2007) article, some arguments can be divided into corresponding claims categories. For instance, the author emphasizes the economic nature of the desire for wealth, and the statement that money is a means to achieve happiness in the format of the economy is a claim of fact (Begley, 2007). As a claim of value, Begley (2007) offers an argument that a person can experience happiness, which is a combination of different aspects, that is, not only monetary. Therefore, the argument that wealth is a tool but not a key can be interpreted as a claim of value. Finally, the author values external aspects of life higher than wealth in the context of the path to happiness. Thus, as a claim of policy, an argument is proposed that public well-being is more important than economic growth.
Reference
Begley, S. (2007). Money & happiness. Newsweek. Web.