Pursuit of Happiness!

Expert replies

neeti2711: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 116; Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 9:48 pm; Thanked: 3 times

by neeti2711 » Wed Dec 05, 2012 11:51 pm

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.

If all of the philosopher's statements are true, each of the following could be true EXCEPT:

(A) the majority of people do not have compulsions

(B) Attaining the goal of any desire results in momentary happiness

(C) Most people do not pursue happiness rationally

(D) Most people want more than their own personal happiness

(E) All actions have long-term consequences

Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Wed Dec 05, 2012 11:51 pm

The Iceman: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 194; Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:14 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Location: India; Thanked: 47 times

by The Iceman » Thu Dec 06, 2012 1:07 am

Option B is correct

desires are sometimes compulsions ...compulsions strongly drive a person to pursue goals that offer no happiness even when reached.

Sapana: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 72; Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 2:27 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by Sapana » Tue Dec 25, 2012 8:59 am

why not E? isn't it E too extreme to be true? what is OA?

nash.8087: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 17; Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 10:44 am

by nash.8087 » Tue Dec 25, 2012 9:20 pm

Even I think it is E. What is OA?

The Iceman: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 194; Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:14 pmFollowed by: 6 members; Location: India; Thanked: 47 times

by The Iceman » Tue Dec 25, 2012 10:27 pm

Sapana wrote:why not E? isn't it E too extreme to be true? what is OA?

I think you have not fully understood the problem statement itself. The question stem says "could be true EXCEPT" and not "must be true or inerred or concluded EXCEPT"

This means we should look for an answer choice, which must not be true. All other options would have to be possibilities, which may or may not be true.

There is clear evidence that B "must not be true", however there is no clear certainty of E being so. Also understand that desires are not actions, in fact in most of the cases what follow desires are actions

Hope this helps.

David@VeritasPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2193; Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:30 pmFollowed by: 512 members; Location: Vermont and Boston, MA; Thanked: 1186 times; GMAT Score:770

by David@VeritasPrep » Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:03 pm

OA is B. Iceman is all over this one.

This is an LSAT question. I suspected that it might be sense it seemed very familiar. The reason that choice B "Attaining the goal of any desire results in momentary happiness" -- Cannot be true is that some desires are based on compulsions even when no happiness results. So therefore not all goals of desires bring happiness even when they are reached.

Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course

Sapana: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 72; Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 2:27 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by Sapana » Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:46 pm

The Iceman wrote:
Sapana wrote:why not E? isn't it E too extreme to be true? what is OA?
I think you have not fully understood the problem statement itself. The question stem says "could be true EXCEPT" and not "must be true or inerred or concluded EXCEPT"

This means we should look for an answer choice, which must not be true. All other options would have to be possibilities, which may or may not be true.

There is clear evidence that B "must not be true", however there is no clear certainty of E being so. Also understand that desires are not actions, in fact in most of the cases what follow desires are actions

Hope this helps.

Thank you for your explanation. I missed the term COULD while reading through the passage and you perfectly caught me!

GMAT Course Reviews

563 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (563 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review