Emari Riley Howe
Ms.Lortie
May 14th, 2018
Crossroads, 10
True Physiological
Happiness
People spend most of their time chasing after things that they think
will make them happy. However In Emily Esfahani Smiths TED Talk “There’s
More To Life Than Being Happy,” she attempts to prove that chasing after
happiness is the one thing that tends to make people feel depressed, lonely
and hopeless. She then brings up the idea that moving beyond the quest for
happiness by identifying the four pillars; belonging, purpose, transcendent
and storytelling is the only way to live a fulfilling and meaningful life that
will make you truly happy.
Smith’s talk reflects the higher level needs to be described by
Abraham Maslow but seems to leave room for more people obtaining
esteem and belonging needs. Smith’s talk seems to be in favor of Maslow's
theory. In Maslow's theory, there are five levels including physiological,
safety, belonging, and esteem needs. The final top level is called self-
actualization. Self- actualization is when “you begin to feel the need for
