Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
Happiness is the primary goal of human existence. Philosophers have wrestled with the
concept of happiness. Legislators create laws to support citizens’ rights to pursue happiness.
Television, radio, and print advertisers assure consumers that various products will guarantee
happiness. Clearly, everyone, from writers and philosophers to legislators and the average
person on the street thinks a great deal about happiness. What makes happiness so
important to human existence?
ot only does happiness feel good, but it appears to provide a variety of psychological and
physical benefits. Happiness plays a significant role in enhancing good health, strengthening
the immune system, promoting longevity, improving productivity and performance, and
increasing resilience. Happy people work hard, play hard, have an active social life,
experience good health and live longer.
However, good news abounds in the study of happiness. Fortunately, humans experience
happiness from a wide range of stimuli, from traveling to an exotic destination to redecorating
one’s home or from winning a game of soccer to eating a delicious meal. Simply watching a
favourite television show or laughing at a funny joke can boost a depressed mood. While the
happiness produced by such experiences tends to be short lived, certain conditions do
promote a more long-lasting and durable state of happiness as a lifestyle: a wide social
network, believing in a meaningful reason for one’s existence, and establishing goals and
achieving them.
Surprisingly, income is not a primary factor in determining a person’s level of happiness once
the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter have been met. More important is one’s social
network and having close friends and family is vital to one’s overall level of happiness. Even
sharing one’s home with an animal companion can make a person happier.
According to the writer, what is the primary goal of human life?