Summary In Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Happiness Hypothesis (2006), he offers up an explanation of how we percieve situations and why. He uses examples of experiments on, affective priming, bias, and genetics, which will be discussed later in the chapter, and how he believes they effect where on the like-o-meter,an internal gauge that tells us whether or not we like something automatically( P. 26), things fall. The purpose of informing the reader of these points is to show how it can contribute to happiness.
Rhetorical Tools
Haidt uses rhetorical tools throughout the book in order to pursuade the reader to see his viewpoint. In this particular chapter he uses tools from the three toolsheds: Ethos, …show more content…
Starting with the use of his Boethius story, yes it gave the reader an example of how changing your thinking may put you at ease, but put in a stressful situation this story will not stop you from worrying. Fact of the matter is that it does not even have to be such a dire situa
Spotting the inarguable is effective if it is undeniably true. This not true for his example. Yes the way we interpret life can affect how we see things but our world will not change, there is no control other than ourselves.
As far as his ethos appeal goes, his only credibility comes from the fact that he made it known that he is a psycologist. Other than that there are no solid reasons that I should find him credible.
Conclusion In closing Haidt is a well educates and capable author I would say his writing is lacking in the Rhetoric department. His decorum is not directed toward an audience of my level, but after re-reading the text multiple times I can say that this chapter was unsuccessful in invoking any emotion or pursuading me to think