Philosopher: The rational pursuit of happiness is quite different from always doing what one most strongly desires to do. This is because the rational pursuit of happiness must include consideration of long-term consequences, whereas our desires are usually focused on the short term. Moreover, desires are sometimes compulsions, and while ordinary desires result in at least momentary happiness when their goals are attained, compulsions strongly drive a person to pursue goals that offer no happiness even when reached.
Summary
The rational pursuit of happiness is different from doing what one strongly desires to do. The rational pursuit of happiness must include consideration of long-term consequences, whereas desires are usually focused on the short-term. Some desires are compulsions. While ordinary desires result in momentary happiness when their goals are attained, compulsions drive a person to pursue goals that offer no happiness even when reached.
Notable Valid Inferences
All desires result in happiness when their goals are reached.
A
The majority of people do not have compulsions.
Could be true. We don’t have any information in the stimulus about what most people experience. It is possible that most people do not have compulsions.
B
Attaining the goal of any desire results in momentary happiness.
Must be false. The stimulus tells us that some desires are compulsions, and compulsions result in no happiness. Therefore, it is impossible for any desire to result in momentary happiness.
C
Most people do not pursue happiness rationally.
Could be true. We don’t have any information in the stimulus about what most people experience. It is possible that most people do not rationally pursue happiness.
D
Most people want more than their own personal happiness.
Could be true. We don’t have any information in the stimulus about what most people experience. It is possible that most people desire more than personal happiness.
E
All actions have long-term consequences.
Could be true. We don’t have any information in the stimulus about what actions have what consequences. We only know that rational pursuit of happiness requires considering long-term consequences.